I have been enjoying the conversation on Twitter and in response to "Parent Involvement – "What's Your View". I am especially encouraged by the concern and passion for the conversation. Here are some of your "views":
Margo Mom encourages us to reconsider our "definitions of parent involvement":
Personally I have moved through some vocabulary shifts, through parent engagement (which suggests to me a more active role) all the way to parent empowerment (which suggests to me a role with decision-making responsibilities). Now, I have heard empowerment mouthed–as in empowering parents to do the things that we believe that they should be doing–or "training" them to be "empowered" to accept responsibility for their child's education (not the education system, mind you).
But, I think that we need to arrive at some meaningful and thoughtful analysis of parent involvement for what?"
Read more of her powerful reflection at Education Week
Cindy- helps keep our eyes on the prize:
"Building trust and relationship is like compound interest. Bit by bit, inch by inch. Giving support with an open mind and optimism is easier for some than others, but the power of positiveness always prevails and our parents are the first teachers so if the support is not there, we (as a learning community) earn it, learn it, and make lemons into lemonade. My dad was in the military and my mom passed when I was 3. If it had not been for the power of my teachers, (and Girl Scouts) in the 26 moves I endured as a child, I would not be the person I am today."
Pat reminds us that when teachers make the "extra" effort- the rewards are immeasurable:
"I called all my parents every 2 weeks beginning with the first day of school (and yes there were some years I had over 100 students on my roster). I tried to find something good to say about their child every time (which surprised them many times because they weren't used to this)
Like KarenJan and others- we wonder:
Miriam helps us understand the struggle we feel as both educator and parent in the process:
From a teacher's perspective AStrang, reminds us that training is much training and conversation is still needed:
This brings up so many questions:
- What is your training experience? Have you had training as an undergraduate or graduate in effective ways to work with parents as partners?
- Was the training a core requirement in your teacher or administrator preparation class or was it an "elective"?
- How does your school or district address the parent involvement?
- What are your tips for creating partnership?
- What is your greatest challenge?
More "Views"
- Letter to Parents
- Seeing Their Best
- Sending Their Best
- Parent Engagement- What Does it Look Like?
- Einstein on Parent Involvement
- Building Family School Partnerships
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