- 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"
3 comments:
Wilza Louis
You’re right parents are their child first teacher, but some parents believe that their children should be taught everything by their teachers. Now a day children that have their parents involve in their education should consider them lucky which is sad, but that’s what it because the economy requires both parents to work in order to make ends needs. It uses to take a village to raise a child, but not anymore everyone is too busy with their own and family lives.
It’s sure is a challenge to get parents involvement in the classroom without a million and one excuses and like you said some are valid and some should never be said. In the same token, I also believe that teachers can help parents get involve more in their child education by going the extra miles to communicate with them such as sending notes home on a regular basis, phone calls, conferences (in person/phone), home visits etc. then again both have to make the effort in order to give the communication going.
The best way I can help you is by talking to teachers to see what they have done to get parents involvement in the classroom and take it from there. Best of luck to you!
I can see your point where teacher’s concern with parents that do not have concern for their child’s education. I have had to make a stand with the parents, and tell them how important it is to educate their children at an early age in order help them keep up in success of their life. I think helping them see the early education of their children will start them off at a better edge for getting ahead in all grades and levels in their life. Parents need to see the importance and be able to trust that their child will get ahead with the help of everyone surrounding them including themselves. They picked the best early childhood program but it is up to them to be their child’s mentor and stimulate them with the knowledge that will help them achieve the goals they have. And many parents face many challenges in this busy world if they could only see that the challenges they face, would be challenges that their children might be able to learn from and do better in their life as they get older. My parents always said to me” I am showing you or telling you this so you don’t make the same mistakes I made” and they would show me the best way to accomplish something.
A contagious attitude that is positive will always win any effort that you are trying to attain. As I entertain people bringing a smile and positive attitude brings about the best time in all, and I can always bring people energy to have fun. As I was bringing my advocacy effort to one teacher I realized that she clicked to what I was telling her. I thought when I went home that day she did not get it I walked into the classroom to see that she put music on, and later she had them do art and a musical movement activity. On her board was they need some old percussion instruments, so I had a few old maracas I am bringing with me next time. I remember I supplied all my own instruments when I taught music.
I think many times I look back and second guess opinions that I have but I always look at them and try to speak about what is right about the opinion and what I think would need to be broadened in my opinions. I look at my opinion and try to see what would I have done to make this effort or opinions right. Any effort and any opinion would have to be looked at and expressed in a way that you take it apart to see what the effort or opinion was all about. Especially if you think there is something that would make it better. All efforts have to be taken apart one by one to see how they fit in.
You look like your advocacy plan is so organized , I am usually organized but I wish I could be better organized in my plans It seems as though my own efforts are not as well thought through as I wanted but I am getting there . Good luck.
After the first of the year my class of 20 three year olds was split. I am now the teacher of the 10 older three's. This really has given me the opportunity to forge close relationships with not only the kids, but also their parents. If I am able, I come early and stay late so that I can see most of the parents. I send updates, newsletters, notes, emails and make calls (all as need be). Most of the time I feel that these relationships are two sided. However, with a few families there is almost a disinterest?? for lack of a better term.
I have had to make a huge effort to not judge and meet them where they are at. It's really made a difference. I know that they want to be involved so I go to great lengths to provide a variety of opportunities for every parent to be involved, no matter their circumstances. Sometimes it's as simple as sending home a book that we have read in class with a note about how much the child enjoyed it and to please read it together at home. It's all of these little things that make a difference.
Looking at it from the teacher's perspective can be overwhelming! We have so many students that need to be treated as individuals, but we also have to meet the needs of the families as well! Any thoughts????
Lonni
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