“Parenting” magazine announced that ML Nichols of Duxbury has been selected to represent Massachusetts at the third-annual Mom Congress on Education and Learning conference in Washington, D.C. this April 29 through May 1. Nichols was chosen for her outstanding contributions and dedication to improving local schools.

A total of 51 delegates, representing each state and the District of Columbia, have been selected by “Parenting” from a record setting number applications submitted through Parenting.com. Each will receive an all-expense-paid trip to D.C. for the event, where they’ll have the opportunity to connect with national leaders in education, “Parenting” editors, and past Mom Congress delegates to exchange ideas on how to improve our nation’s schools. “I live in a great school district with amazing volunteers, many of whom I’ve worked closely with over the past decade,” said Nichols. “I’ll bring their energy and commitment with me to Mom Congress and look forward to sharing and learning new ideas.”

The theme of the 2012 Mom Congress conference, “Teach Me Something New,” is dedicated to fostering the crucially important relationship between parents and their children’s teachers. For the third consecutive year, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan headlines the roster of education and advocacy leaders scheduled to address the delegates at the conference. Others scheduled to appear include NBC News’ Education Nation, First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move!, Save the Children, National PTA, National Education Association, Teach for America, and more.

In her work as an education advocate, Nichols has served in many leadership roles – from cofounder and director of The Parent Connection, a non-profit group that brings parenting and education speakers to the South Shore of Boston, to PTA President and School Council co-chair. She initiated many programs to bring together kids, teachers, parents, and the community including a district wide communication committee, a family-school directory, and an annual Are You Smarter Than a Duxbury 5th Grader fundraiser. Her passion for productive family-school relationships and candid communication led her to launch The Parent Backpack — a consulting group and Web site/blog that helps parents connect to their kids’ education in effective ways. Nichols conducts workshops and is writing a companion book, “The Parent Backpack: How to Navigate Kindergarten Through Grade 5 So Your Kids Thrive and You Survive.”