Thank You

Thank you everyone for all the wonderful post, and countless ideas and motivation.  It was extremely encouraging to hear that others were having the same struggles that I was having.  I was able to reorganize my presentation after gaining the advice from my fellow classmates.  It is so refreshing to read about how passionate many of my classmates are about education.  I am excited about my future, and I am truly excited about everyone’s education futures and the countless opportunities to come.

Thanks again,

Jana

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

1.       Have any of you been nervous about presenting your advocacy plan?

2.       What materials are you using to support you during your presentation?

3.       How can I get more early childhood educators to come to my presentation?

 

•Resources and information you are seeking

                I would like to know how different people learn best.  I know that when I go to a class or presentation I despise power point, but I would like to know how others learn best during presentations or workshops.  I would love to know what others are using to help them in their presentations.

               

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

                I have found that talking to my colleagues and family about my advocacy plan has helped me become a little more confident.  Talking to different specialist and educators has also helped me with different areas of my presentation.

“Parents are the most important partner in a child's education and schools can reap large dividends by capitalizing on their support. To be sure, such relationships require a lot of work by both educators and parents. Although success will not come easy, the rewards are too great for a school not to try (Education.com).”

I have been working in the field of early childhood education for over 11 years. During my experience working with children and families I have witnessed how important it is to be a family advocate on many different levels. I have recently completed a great deal of research regarding the importance of parental engagement, and the impact that involvement has on a child’s life. I have devoted my whole advocacy plan on educating parents and teachers about how crucial parent engagement is. I am extremely excited to help educate parents on all the different ways they can get involved in their child’s education career.

My biggest anxieties I have related to engaging my advocacy efforts would be that the parents and educators will not be as passionate and serious as I am about the importance of parental engagement. I also fear that educators who have worked with parents and families for years will be burnt out, and not want to take the time and energy it will take to make this advocacy plan successful.

I honestly feel that my excitement and dedication to this advocacy plan will help get others to listen, and the facts, and research will help others learn why I am so passionate. I feel that if I can get others educated, then they will become excited, and will want to make more efforts in getting parents involved and engaged in their child’s education.

I live in a small town, and I have already started to talk to people in the grocery store, at the post office, and other locations about my advocacy plan. I am actively educating the public about my progression of my advocacy plan. People see my excitement, and I know that I can help get more people excited just through my actions, and through my work of mouth.

Reference:

Getting Parents Involved in Schools; Education World. 2008

http://www.education.com/reference/article/Ref_Getting_Parents/?page=3