Parents as Teachers

Reading chapter six of America’s Teachers: An Introduction to Education (Newman, 2006) reminded me of the Barenaked Ladies song It’s All Been Done (Page, 1998). As I read the conflicting sides of each argument regarding education as far back of the Civil War, I kept thinking how none of this sounded new. It’s all been done before, and we are still debating many of the same issues. Newman (2006) put it another way, “Despite promoters’ claims to the contrary, few educational wheels are brand new. Most have been reinvented. Sold to the public as innovations, they are more like retreaded and recycled tires” (p.180). The purpose of education, the way in which education is managed by state and federal governments, and whom we educate (and how) will always be, in my opinion, a hot debate.

“The program also encourages parents to: volunteer in the classroom, participate in home visits by the teacher at least twice a year, enroll in job training programs, literacy programs, or other adult education programs, serve on policy making bodies, apply to work in the program, and serve in state, regional, or national Head Start Associations (Mallory and Goldsmith, 2002).”

When Initially planning a parent/ carers teacher conference concerning a child’s performance in the classroom. It is essential to be prepared and show sensitivity towards parents and children. As a kindergarten teacher and mother of 1, I understand the anxiety parents feel in regards to their children and their achievements. We as educators need to address professional standard 3.7 Engage parents/carers in the educative process this can be achieved by describing a broad range of strategies for involving parents/carers in the educative process (AITSL, 2010).

This current grant will reach out to other churches in Wilkinsburg, the public and private schools, and the Boys and Girls Club to engage new members in the programs. We will collaborate with Wilkinsburg Library to help coordinate summer programs to engage the children in improving their

Describe specific methods you would use to promote partnerships with families. About two weeks before school starts, I will send my students a letter in which I introduce myself and describe some activities we will share. I will share how important their contributions are and my desire to partner with them over the year. I will ask questions about the family’s expectations for their child, how they presently support their child with schoolwork, and how you and the school can assist them. I will encourage families to ask me questions about their child or how I can run my classroom that is suitable to their child needs. I will provide each parent with my personal contact information if they have any private concerns or issues questions.

We are founded in Alabama and we have been educating our son via Church School for years. We love it and wouldn’t want it any other way. This is why we decided to help other parents have that same freedom to teach their children. We offer a family-based educational program for grades Kindergarten to 12th grade.

Outreach and engagement activities that educate individuals and families on the choices available; including partnering with advocacy

A great strategy for collaborating with the community is for the school to have a community day. Partners from around the community introduce themselves and provide information and assistance regarding academic, social, recreational, and health resources available to the families throughout the community. Community collaboration allows local businesses and nonprofit organizations to provide services to parents that advance student learning and overall wellness. Schools should invite community partners into the schools to participate in mentoring. Community service is a great strategy to foster student and parent participation. Providing support and learning opportunities for parents such as: GED classes, English language classes, and job training is a great strategy for collaboration with community partners. Parents and the communities should be made aware of activities and programs taking place inside of

According to Michael Seville, a writer for Eutopia Magazine, “… parental involvement is a key ingredient in how well a student learns.” The idea of parental involvement in their school is not a concept exclusive to charter schools. There are many traditional public schools that are launching programs to do just that. In Saratoga, California, an elementary school has made it mandatory for parents to volunteer and attend a seven-session STEP (Systemic Training for Effective Parenting) class. This class is designed to help improve the parent’s usefulness when they appear in class. According to the principal of the McAuliffe Elementary, Michael Kalb, even single working parents are able to find a few hours a month to help out, even if it is in the evening. Since the inception of this program, teachers have noticed more cooperative behavior of their students and a willingness that was not present before. These types of programs could be and should be incorporated into any traditional public school in any part of the country and would create a synergy within the school of parents, teachers, and students.

Additionally, our presence and partnership at the Fairview Elementary school has given us the opportunity to care for the social, emotional, and education needs of their whole student body. Now, test scores in math, reading and science have all substantially increased. So, with your help, we would like to place a staff member at a second school location where students are struggling due to low income and difficult family circumstances. With your help, we will positively impact hundreds of students and everyone those student touch in the years to

New York Times Reading Log 1. “5 Things Teachers Wish Parents Knew: Your Children Can Do More Than You Think’’ Education. By Jessica Lahey 4/18/14; accessed 8/26/17 Fully read In one teacher conference, author turning the conference focus point to those teachers already be parent, what is the most important for their children?

My husband and I began our family shortly after I obtained an undergraduate degree. In just a few years, we had four children under the age of seven. I was managing a large household and raising our children in a stable, nurturing environment during pivotal early years. Consequently, I was not active in the workforce. As a stay at home mother, I was available to volunteer at school when my eldest child entered kindergarten fourteen years ago. After several years of serving as a school volunteer and being named the 2009 Volunteer of the Year, I gradually progressed to substitute teaching in order to continue building my educational experiences.

With the growing need for child care in America, more and more are popping up in multiple possible settings. Care Centers, Churches, At-home moms are not hard to find for day and after school child care. But not all forms are regulated. A reform on child care is needed to make it affordable, safe and productive for American children to reach their full potential during their developmental years and beyond. Unfortunately the majority of productive and high quality child care is based on demographic, cultural and financial options. Low income children and children who live in certain neighborhoods do not have access to childcare and preschool options. These are the most likely option to teach top rate social and educational instruction. As a result of the well educated providers being a bit more on the costly side, a large portion of American family child care is provided by unlicensed mom’s providing child care in their homes. This being more affordable than the child care centers, for obvious overhead reasons. With the percentage of Single Mothers growing/or and the need for a 2 income family, Child care become a well known and commonly needed service in the 1970’s.

The symbiotic relationship between teachers and parents is crucial to the educational success of a student. Parents must be involved with their child’s education through consistent attendance of IEP meetings and advocate for their child and their needs at school. Teachers can encourage parent involvement through, traveling notebooks home and note home programs which establish an open line of communication between teacher and parent. Parent-teacher conferences are a great way for teachers and parents to be involved in the success of the student's educational experience.

In the beginning of this class, I knew very little on how to effectively assist children and families at risk. Now, I feel suitable enough to provide support with the strategies I learned from my classmates and the class reading materials from this term. Effective programs that are designed to help children and families at risk share a common theme which is growth. As a future elementary teacher, I am grateful for the information I learned in this class because I now know how to provide valuable support. However, the three biggest challenges when working with families at risk are attempting to persuade parents to make a positive change, knowing what is completely going on in their home, and trying to achieve all goals. However, I believe by offering support to the family, we are doing everything in our power to help by providing opportunities.