A Note of Thanks and Support

What a course!! Boy I tell you, I had my share of ups and downs throughout this course. I thought I wasn't going to make it. Now I understand what advocate means, it's hard work to speak out about something you think is beneficial for people. Overall, I learned a lot from my fellow classmates I would like to say thank you for you comments and suggestions throughout this course.  Your dedication to Early Childhood Education would not go unnoticed. We have a job to do and that is to positively impact our students lives we teach.  We have showed our commitment to this field I encourage you guys to keep pressing forward and in your education don't stop now we have a greater work ahead of us..

Thank you

Lamon Phillips

Enlisting and Providing Support

• Questions you have with which your colleagues may be able to provide help and support

My plans is to increase parental involvement within urban schools;

1. What are some way I can include parents into the school environment?
2. How would you present your presentation to parents, teachers, and administration?
3. How would you approach parents that have an answer to why they can't be involved?

• Resources and information you are seeking

Seeking resources and information that will help increase my chances to provide the parents, and teachers that shows the importance of parental involvement.   Resource like parenting programs, and community programs that helps parents and teachers to develop stronger communication.

• Resources and/or information you have found helpful and insightful

The most helpful insight I obtained was actually speaking to the teachers and parents about the disparity with being involved in their child education.   Also, I found a website that helped me develop my advocacy plan with great organization.  Overall, I think I'm prepared to present my advocacy plan.   If you could please provide me some suggestions to my questions that is listed above...

 Thanks

Lamon Phillips

Your Personal Advocacy Journey

• What inspires and excites you most about your advocacy plan and being an advocate? 

What excites me the most is having the ability to make a difference in the lives of our students. Being an advocate is much more then I expected because all eyes are on you to see how you are going to handle certain challenges that comes along with advocating to make a positive impact in the lives of our children.  What inspires me the most is seeing teachers filled with confidence knowing that parents are being the added support they need inside and outside the classroom.  Being a parent myself I love talking to my sons' teachers about their progress just imagine if all parents was involved in their education.  Education as we know it today wouldnt have so many gaps and our children will be more successful in the classroom. I always say parents are the first teacher then teachers can build on the prior knowledge they learned at home.  I understand if nothing is being taught at home it falls on the body of people that surrounds that child everyday.  Not to jump topic but it takes a village to raise a child the village concept has been demolish in the urban community, we have an every man for itself approach now. 

• What challenges and/or anxieties do you feel related to engaging in the advocacy efforts you have targeted?

My challenges is getting parents, teachers and administration to believe that parental involvement will work.  Some parents have some many excuses however some are valid, you have teachers and administration that  prefer to deal with the children instead of the parents.  Some teachers are under the impression that parents don't care about their child education. You have some parents that think teachers don't have time for them.  I must take into account how to approach the different challenges some parents face everyday, such as living arrangement, work schedules and other unexpected occurance.  Increasing Parental Involvement touches on a wide variety of subject and can lead to any other concerns in education.  In saying that, I must stay focus on the plan I have in place to help our children and their familes.

• What do you believe will be most effective in helping you overcome any challenging emotions you may be feeling with regard to presenting and implementing your Advocacy Action Plan?

The most effective way for me to overcome any challenges is to be honest and transparent.  In this present day people are tried of games and gimmicks they want the truth presented to them where they can see results.  In order to implement my plan I must show excitement and  the williness to make a difference in the lives of the people. People  love a contagious altitude thats positive.  Being on the LSC board everyone admire my ability to discuss issues that need to be address in our school without being fearful of what people may say.

• How can you encourage others in their advocacy efforts, and how can others encourage you?

To encourage others in their advocacy efforts is to provide support and information that will help them along the way.  Be confident in the message you are trying to get out.  Never second guess your efforts alway have a positive outlook regardless of the opposition you will face and handle everything with a smile.    To encourage me in my efforts is get me resource and helpful nuggets that I can use.  It's all about support, support and knowing you are making a difference.

My favor quote is "
"If you're not modeling what you want to teach, you're teaching something else."
by Melissa Sturgeon Educator"