I'm not typically one for leaving reviews, but my experience with TLFA was so unsettling that I feel responsibility to share. I will not speak on anything other than my direct experience as it is not my goal to slander this Black-run business, particularly if they have been a positive impact to other families. I had very high hopes for this school given what appears to be a principled foundation and thoughtful learning model. For 3 months, we had been looking for a holistic option where care, understanding, curiosity over judgement, honesty, and building relationships are at the core. Unfortunately, our journey with TLFA was abruptly cut short as a result of the lack of genuine care, integrity, and compassion shown by Ms. Ahma.
For weeks, I communicated with Ms. Ahma about our experience trying to find a program for our little one, and from day one was very open about who we were, what we were looking for, and the challenges we faced navigating neglectful and implicitly racist schools that resulted in us transitioning our daughter a few times in a short period. Despite my early-on desire to connect in person, or at least by phone, I respected Ms. Ahma's communication style of text and email for weeks, and was very patient with the process. Ms. Ahma was aware of our goal for long-term schooling, our desire as a black family for a school with representation, and was provided details about our daughter (age, that she's an only child, newly starting in structured learning, the things she loves and how much the emphasis on nature, music, creativity, would really help her thrive). Ms. Ahma stated herself that she felt their program would be good for our daughter. Her tune changed right after our virtual "tour".
During the tour, Ms. Ahma mainly shared information about her school, which I had already researched and discussed with my family. We learned about their "no open door" policy and asked clarifying questions, trusting TLFA's commitment to transparency. We did not challenge the policy, only sought understanding. Ms. Ahma's response was lengthy and somewhat defensive, at one point mentioning that she wasn't here to "entertain parents". Despite this, I thanked her for her perspective and reassured her that our only concern was ensuring a safe environment for our daughter. We expressed interest in an in-person tour and awaited her proposed dates.
2 days later, she reached out and relayed that after consideration the school did not want to move forward on the basis that our daughter was older (info she had on day 1 and that we talked about multiple times thereafter), they only enroll folks who want long-term care (despite me very explicitly telling her weeks ago that our goal was long-term), and that because our daughter had already had many transitions, they didn't want to be a part of more transitions. And of course, this was all communicated over email (no call to share her reservations, no opportunity for discussion, no curiosity to gain understanding). This is after weeks of us communicating. It not only felt dishonest and avoidant, but deeply impersonal, callous, and insensitive. We felt discarded...
I believe that Ms. Ahma did not like our questioning of her "no open door" policy, and instead of being honest and having a discussion , she provided a baseless explanation about facts she knew, and never expressed concerns with, weeks ago. The experience was sobering...and I am reminded that community is not always who/what you think it is...I'm thankful to have gotten the clear indication that this is not our community.
I share this experience as a learning: A relational approach to any discovery process that includes transparent dialogue, compassion, understanding, and grace is important in any family's experience. Further, it is critical to engage with parents, particularly Black parents, with the utmost care and regard whether accepting their families into a program or not. Our institutions need to be sites of healing engagement. read more