- 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"
