Dads at Blackland Prairie Elementary School are stepping into the classroom to connect with students and strengthen their school community. All year long, a group of fathers and other male figures known as the “Wildcat Dads” volunteer their time to support campus events, and once a month, they even take over teaching duties for a day.
Mitch Figgat, father of a Blackland Prairie fifth-grader, is one of many dads who continue to come back to help.
“It’s super fun,” he said. “It’s good to see the faces you know and the other kids your kid spends six hours a day, five days a week with. The first time I taught a class, I was like, ‘Holy cow, this is some serious stuff here,’ but then you get in there and find out it’s not actually that intimidating.”
Figgat said the experience gives him a new appreciation for what teachers do and a great opportunity to be part of his child’s day.
“Just come,” he said. “It’s super fun and totally worth the time.”
Assistant Principal Mark Flemming said the program began years ago as part of the national Watch D.O.G.S. initiative, which encourages fathers and male role models to play a visible role in schools. Over time, Blackland Prairie adapted the model to fit the needs of its own community.
“When I first got here, it was a growing program,” Flemming said. “As it morphed, we created our own version we called ‘Wildcat Dads’.”
The program invites fathers to volunteer at least three times a year at the school for events like orientation, back-to-school events, fundraisers, and birthdays. Its biggest draw, however, is the monthly teaching day, when dads from each grade level lead classroom lessons.
For these days, Flemming collaborates with teachers to ensure the lessons align with what students are learning.
“I work with the different grade levels, look at their scope and sequence, see where they’re at, and talk to the teachers about the subject or content area,” he said. “Then I create a lesson based on their input.”
The result is a fun, meaningful experience for everyone involved.
“This is a fun way for dads to be involved,” he said. “They teach a lesson and get to be there for their kid, and other students reap the benefits of having another adult figure around as well.”
He said most dads start out nervous but quickly gain confidence.
“One of the things I always tell the dads is that the kids don’t bite. They just enjoy having their father or someone they know up there,” Flemming said. “I’ve noticed when the dads come back the following year, they feel more comfortable, more seasoned, and excited to help teach again.”
Flemming says the relationships built through the program are what make it truly special.
“When I see a dad start out in kindergarten, I try to make a connection with them at a personal level because they’ve taken the time to come,” he said. “As I see them return year after year, these are the guys that stay involved with their kids.”
He encourages other male family members in Round Rock ISD to also find opportunities to get involved in their child’s school community.
“Stay connected with your teachers — they’re your first and foremost understanding of how your kid is doing at school,” he said. “Get involved with your PTA, show up for events, and make yourself known. It’s important to build those relationships so we’re all working toward the same goal: a safe, supportive, and fun learning environment for our kids.”