This document discusses creating conditions for parent engagement in schools. It provides perspectives from various educators on engaging parents as partners. Some key strategies discussed include building trust and community, asking parents how to best engage them, communicating with parents and meeting them where they are, truly listening to understand parents, creating opportunities for dialogue both formally and informally, providing transparency into the school through sharing stories and positives, and being patient as parents are new each year. The document concludes by providing contact information for Chris Wejr to connect further on parent engagement.
Keynote address (Feb, 2016) to the educators in the Fort Nelson school district. We all know that we cannot teach a child without a concection... without a relationship. In the hustle and bustle of our jobs as educators, we often forget our why, the reason we got into education, of trying to make a difference with kids. In this talk, 6 Keys to Connecting are shared and discussed with the challenge of creating a more positive climate and better connections with kids in our classrooms, schools, and organizations.
Motivation From Within - Moving Away From Points, Prizes, and Pizza PartiesChris Wejr
Feburary 2015 workshop for educators in the Fort Nelson School District.
"The vast majority of our students enter our schools in kindergarten with high motivation to learn but as they progress up through the grades, motivation and engagement tends to fade. Due to the many challenges facing our schools, educators often resort to a variety of incentives to try to motivate students to learn and behave to help create the optimal learning environment. This session will challenge participants to rethink the use of incentives and encourage them to look at ways to create the conditions for students to motivate themselves. The following will be discussed:
the long term issues that can be caused by incentives/rewards
ideas to create the conditions for long term (more intrinsic) motivation
how short term punishments can create further behaviour problems with students
how behaviour is often a result of an unmet need or lagging skill
Participants will be challenged reflect upon their current views of student motivation and come away with ideas and strategies to move toward more intrinsic motivation in their classrooms and schools."
Motivation From Within: Moving Beyond Rewards and Awards in SchoolsChris Wejr
Keynote presentation given to educators at the 2017 Central Alberta Teachers Convention.
The vast majority of our students enter our schools in kindergarten with high motivation to learn but as they progress up through the grades, motivation and engagement tends to fade. Due to the many challenges facing our schools, educators often resort to a variety of incentives to try to motivate students to learn and improve behaviour to help create the optimal learning environment. Schools also try to encourage students to excel by offering certificates, plaques, and trophies to those who do better than others. The use of rewards can become part of a school culture and awards are generally steeped in tradition… but what if we have this extrinsic motivation strategy all wrong? What if these tactics work in the short term but cause problems in the long term? What if there are students that go through our schools with strengths that are not valued nor honoured? Is there a better way to create the conditions for long-term motivation? Is there a way to move away from awards so more students are honoured, more students feel connected, and there is a more positive, inclusive school culture?
Start With Strengths: Change the Lens. Change the Story.Chris Wejr
Half day session with staff of Enver Creek Secondary (Surrey, BC) in September 2016. Learning intentions:
I can share the WHY of strengths-based education
I can share ways to help shift the lens to a more strengths-based model
I can share the strengths of myself and the Enver Creek Secondary School community
I can devise methods to determine the strengths of our students (and/or staff)
I can share ideas to move to a strength-based model in my classroom and/or school
I can identify ONE student with whom I will connect with and tap into his/her strengths.
Presentation given to the Chilliwack Restorative Justice and Youth Advocacy Association on October 4, 2016. Restorative practices can be extremely powerful, especially when built on the shoulders of connections and strengths of students and staff.
Developing confident learners is often stated as a goal for schools and educators, yet students continually enter our classrooms with low confidence and on a “losing streak” in school. This session will help participants to learn more about shifting to a strength-based approach in our classrooms and to look at the power of assessment in developing student confidence. Participants will have the opportunity to:
- discuss ideas and strategies to increase engagement through creating space for student strengths and interests in the classroom
- reflect upon aspects of assessment practice and how these can build or tear down confidence
- discuss ways to tap into the strengths of students beyond our classroom walls
This session is designed for educators who want to reflect on their current practice so that they can create change that benefits students within their classes; participants will walk away with reflections as well as strategies and ideas that can be immediately implemented in their classrooms.
Strengths-Based Education Through Strengths-Based LeadershipChris Wejr
Full day workshop for the admin team of the Cariboo-Chilcotin School District. Key topics included: creating a positive school climate through the strengths of students, creating a positive culture by embracing the strengths of staff, and creating a positive school identity by sharing the positive stories of students and staff. The idea of using social media to bring the district together and connect people with others was also introduced.
Navigating the World of Technology WITH Our YouthChris Wejr
Presentation given to parents at Kent Elementary as parent of a parent forum. Topics included social media, balance (self-regulation), digital citizenship, privacy, digital footprint, parent support.
Keynote address (Feb, 2016) to the educators in the Fort Nelson school district. We all know that we cannot teach a child without a concection... without a relationship. In the hustle and bustle of our jobs as educators, we often forget our why, the reason we got into education, of trying to make a difference with kids. In this talk, 6 Keys to Connecting are shared and discussed with the challenge of creating a more positive climate and better connections with kids in our classrooms, schools, and organizations.
Motivation From Within - Moving Away From Points, Prizes, and Pizza PartiesChris Wejr
Feburary 2015 workshop for educators in the Fort Nelson School District.
"The vast majority of our students enter our schools in kindergarten with high motivation to learn but as they progress up through the grades, motivation and engagement tends to fade. Due to the many challenges facing our schools, educators often resort to a variety of incentives to try to motivate students to learn and behave to help create the optimal learning environment. This session will challenge participants to rethink the use of incentives and encourage them to look at ways to create the conditions for students to motivate themselves. The following will be discussed:
the long term issues that can be caused by incentives/rewards
ideas to create the conditions for long term (more intrinsic) motivation
how short term punishments can create further behaviour problems with students
how behaviour is often a result of an unmet need or lagging skill
Participants will be challenged reflect upon their current views of student motivation and come away with ideas and strategies to move toward more intrinsic motivation in their classrooms and schools."
Motivation From Within: Moving Beyond Rewards and Awards in SchoolsChris Wejr
Keynote presentation given to educators at the 2017 Central Alberta Teachers Convention.
The vast majority of our students enter our schools in kindergarten with high motivation to learn but as they progress up through the grades, motivation and engagement tends to fade. Due to the many challenges facing our schools, educators often resort to a variety of incentives to try to motivate students to learn and improve behaviour to help create the optimal learning environment. Schools also try to encourage students to excel by offering certificates, plaques, and trophies to those who do better than others. The use of rewards can become part of a school culture and awards are generally steeped in tradition… but what if we have this extrinsic motivation strategy all wrong? What if these tactics work in the short term but cause problems in the long term? What if there are students that go through our schools with strengths that are not valued nor honoured? Is there a better way to create the conditions for long-term motivation? Is there a way to move away from awards so more students are honoured, more students feel connected, and there is a more positive, inclusive school culture?
Start With Strengths: Change the Lens. Change the Story.Chris Wejr
Half day session with staff of Enver Creek Secondary (Surrey, BC) in September 2016. Learning intentions:
I can share the WHY of strengths-based education
I can share ways to help shift the lens to a more strengths-based model
I can share the strengths of myself and the Enver Creek Secondary School community
I can devise methods to determine the strengths of our students (and/or staff)
I can share ideas to move to a strength-based model in my classroom and/or school
I can identify ONE student with whom I will connect with and tap into his/her strengths.
Presentation given to the Chilliwack Restorative Justice and Youth Advocacy Association on October 4, 2016. Restorative practices can be extremely powerful, especially when built on the shoulders of connections and strengths of students and staff.
Developing confident learners is often stated as a goal for schools and educators, yet students continually enter our classrooms with low confidence and on a “losing streak” in school. This session will help participants to learn more about shifting to a strength-based approach in our classrooms and to look at the power of assessment in developing student confidence. Participants will have the opportunity to:
- discuss ideas and strategies to increase engagement through creating space for student strengths and interests in the classroom
- reflect upon aspects of assessment practice and how these can build or tear down confidence
- discuss ways to tap into the strengths of students beyond our classroom walls
This session is designed for educators who want to reflect on their current practice so that they can create change that benefits students within their classes; participants will walk away with reflections as well as strategies and ideas that can be immediately implemented in their classrooms.
Strengths-Based Education Through Strengths-Based LeadershipChris Wejr
Full day workshop for the admin team of the Cariboo-Chilcotin School District. Key topics included: creating a positive school climate through the strengths of students, creating a positive culture by embracing the strengths of staff, and creating a positive school identity by sharing the positive stories of students and staff. The idea of using social media to bring the district together and connect people with others was also introduced.
Navigating the World of Technology WITH Our YouthChris Wejr
Presentation given to parents at Kent Elementary as parent of a parent forum. Topics included social media, balance (self-regulation), digital citizenship, privacy, digital footprint, parent support.
Start With Strengths: Creating Emotionally Healthy CommunitiesChris Wejr
Session for parents, educators, practitioners, and community members. Facilitated with Karen Copeland.
What happens when we shift away from focusing on our kids’ challenges towards exploring and honouring their strengths? How can curiousity and storytelling strengthen relationships between our children, youth, families and community?
Learn how to move away from focusing on all the things we can't do and find out how celebrating the things we CAN do makes a huge difference for our children, families and school communities.
Educational Leadership: Creating the Conditions for Passion and InnovationChris Wejr
Presentation for the 2013 Reform Symposium #RSCON4. Focusing on discussions about creating the time and conditions within the school day to help teachers/staff to learn and explore hunches, curiosities. Session info http://bit.ly/1fcvUAQ
Slides from 2017 presentations for both Palliser Teachers and Greater Edmonton Teachers' Conventions.
How do we build a culture that helps staff members to thrive? Strengths-based leadership provides the lens and mindset that brings out the best in staff members and creates the conditions for increased trust, more collaboration and sharing, and a resulting climate in which people want to innovate and excel. Chris will use powerful stories, along with supporting research, to encourage formal leaders to embrace a strengths-based lens to create a positive school culture.
Professional Learning Through Social Media: Connected Educators, Connected IdeasChris Wejr
Presentation/workshop given to the staff of Rosedale Traditional Community School on how social media can help the staff connect within the school as well as throughout the world.
Shifting to a Strength-Based Culture in SchoolsChris Wejr
If the keynote session focused on WHY we need to shift our lens to a strength-based approach in schools, this breakout session will focus on the HOW and WHAT of this shift. The following topics will be discussed:
- how to determine the strengths of our students and staff
ideas to move to a strength-based model in schools
- ways to honour and recognize the strengths of our students
moving from MY students to OUR students
- school-wide activities that build on the strengths of students and staff
- providing opportunities for collaboration and leadership in areas of strength
The session is designed for educators that want to create change beyond their classroom walls; participants will walk away with practical ideas that can start an immediate shift to a strength-based culture in their school.
Starting With Strengths: The Stories We Build #edflingChris Wejr
Keynote presentation given at the Spring Fling British Columbia Teachers Federation North-Central Zone Conference in Prince George, BC. Stories shape who we are. How a focus on strengths and confidence along with conditions for engagement can change the stories of our students. (note the title slide photo is from Ben Ishaque https://flic.kr/p/7tDusL)
Start With Strengths - Change the Lens. Change the StoryChris Wejr
Slides for the Force Society for Kids' Mental Health 2014 "In the Know" webinar series. Presentation for parents and educators that focuses on the powerful impact of changing the lens to a strength-based model.
Webinar can be viewed at http://phsa.mediasite.com/mediasite/Play/468e689af6ca47009456837e5936dc6a1d?catalog=c823804a-36e4-4fa6-a491-48dede1495cf
Educational Collisions: How Connected Educators Are Creating Positive Change ...Chris Wejr
Keynote presentation at the 3rd Annual Flipped Classroom Conference. Encouraging people to use social media to enhance the human connection and use this connection to share, collide ideas and create educational change.
Start With Strengths - Canadian Association of Principals 2015Chris Wejr
Workshop facilitated at the 2015 Canadian Association of Principals conference in Whistler, BC.
This session focused on the WHY of strength-based education and how using this lens can change the stories of students. It also included discussions and ideas on how to determine the strengths of our students as well as ways to bring the strengths of our students into our schools.
Shifting Culture Through Sharing StoriesChris Wejr
Ignite-style presentation for the Vancouver Discovery Education "Ignite Your Passion" event on November 19, 2014 hosted by Dean Shareski. Sharing the power of how stories can shift culture in schools.
Windows of Change: How Connected Educators Are Driving Real ReformChris Wejr
Keynote presentation at the 2013 e-learning conference in Lafayette, Indiana. Sharing stories and thoughts on how connected educators are using social media and creating the narrative that is driving real education reform.
Moving Beyond The Newsletter: Using Technology To Meet Parents Where They AreChris Wejr
Workshop for the 2013 BCCPAC Fall Conference that focused on using technology to enhance school's relationships with their families. Purpose of parent communication is explored as well as examples of tools are shown.
Leadership in 21st Century Learning: A Call to LibrariesLori Reed
Opening keynote for the 78th Annual Quebec Library Association Conference: Libraries as Learning Places.
This presentation covers how libraries must pave the way as leaders in learning and information literacy. Why libraries play a crucial role in education. How to become a champion of 21st century learning and information literacy.
Growing Together With Social Media: Moving Away From Isolation As A New TeacherChris Wejr
Presentation given to a group of new teachers in the Chilliwack and Fraser-Cascade School Districts. Focuses on teachers and educators forming relationships, learning. growing, and sharing using social media.
Start With Strengths: Creating Emotionally Healthy CommunitiesChris Wejr
Session for parents, educators, practitioners, and community members. Facilitated with Karen Copeland.
What happens when we shift away from focusing on our kids’ challenges towards exploring and honouring their strengths? How can curiousity and storytelling strengthen relationships between our children, youth, families and community?
Learn how to move away from focusing on all the things we can't do and find out how celebrating the things we CAN do makes a huge difference for our children, families and school communities.
Educational Leadership: Creating the Conditions for Passion and InnovationChris Wejr
Presentation for the 2013 Reform Symposium #RSCON4. Focusing on discussions about creating the time and conditions within the school day to help teachers/staff to learn and explore hunches, curiosities. Session info http://bit.ly/1fcvUAQ
Slides from 2017 presentations for both Palliser Teachers and Greater Edmonton Teachers' Conventions.
How do we build a culture that helps staff members to thrive? Strengths-based leadership provides the lens and mindset that brings out the best in staff members and creates the conditions for increased trust, more collaboration and sharing, and a resulting climate in which people want to innovate and excel. Chris will use powerful stories, along with supporting research, to encourage formal leaders to embrace a strengths-based lens to create a positive school culture.
Professional Learning Through Social Media: Connected Educators, Connected IdeasChris Wejr
Presentation/workshop given to the staff of Rosedale Traditional Community School on how social media can help the staff connect within the school as well as throughout the world.
Shifting to a Strength-Based Culture in SchoolsChris Wejr
If the keynote session focused on WHY we need to shift our lens to a strength-based approach in schools, this breakout session will focus on the HOW and WHAT of this shift. The following topics will be discussed:
- how to determine the strengths of our students and staff
ideas to move to a strength-based model in schools
- ways to honour and recognize the strengths of our students
moving from MY students to OUR students
- school-wide activities that build on the strengths of students and staff
- providing opportunities for collaboration and leadership in areas of strength
The session is designed for educators that want to create change beyond their classroom walls; participants will walk away with practical ideas that can start an immediate shift to a strength-based culture in their school.
Starting With Strengths: The Stories We Build #edflingChris Wejr
Keynote presentation given at the Spring Fling British Columbia Teachers Federation North-Central Zone Conference in Prince George, BC. Stories shape who we are. How a focus on strengths and confidence along with conditions for engagement can change the stories of our students. (note the title slide photo is from Ben Ishaque https://flic.kr/p/7tDusL)
Start With Strengths - Change the Lens. Change the StoryChris Wejr
Slides for the Force Society for Kids' Mental Health 2014 "In the Know" webinar series. Presentation for parents and educators that focuses on the powerful impact of changing the lens to a strength-based model.
Webinar can be viewed at http://phsa.mediasite.com/mediasite/Play/468e689af6ca47009456837e5936dc6a1d?catalog=c823804a-36e4-4fa6-a491-48dede1495cf
Educational Collisions: How Connected Educators Are Creating Positive Change ...Chris Wejr
Keynote presentation at the 3rd Annual Flipped Classroom Conference. Encouraging people to use social media to enhance the human connection and use this connection to share, collide ideas and create educational change.
Start With Strengths - Canadian Association of Principals 2015Chris Wejr
Workshop facilitated at the 2015 Canadian Association of Principals conference in Whistler, BC.
This session focused on the WHY of strength-based education and how using this lens can change the stories of students. It also included discussions and ideas on how to determine the strengths of our students as well as ways to bring the strengths of our students into our schools.
Shifting Culture Through Sharing StoriesChris Wejr
Ignite-style presentation for the Vancouver Discovery Education "Ignite Your Passion" event on November 19, 2014 hosted by Dean Shareski. Sharing the power of how stories can shift culture in schools.
Windows of Change: How Connected Educators Are Driving Real ReformChris Wejr
Keynote presentation at the 2013 e-learning conference in Lafayette, Indiana. Sharing stories and thoughts on how connected educators are using social media and creating the narrative that is driving real education reform.
Moving Beyond The Newsletter: Using Technology To Meet Parents Where They AreChris Wejr
Workshop for the 2013 BCCPAC Fall Conference that focused on using technology to enhance school's relationships with their families. Purpose of parent communication is explored as well as examples of tools are shown.
Leadership in 21st Century Learning: A Call to LibrariesLori Reed
Opening keynote for the 78th Annual Quebec Library Association Conference: Libraries as Learning Places.
This presentation covers how libraries must pave the way as leaders in learning and information literacy. Why libraries play a crucial role in education. How to become a champion of 21st century learning and information literacy.
Growing Together With Social Media: Moving Away From Isolation As A New TeacherChris Wejr
Presentation given to a group of new teachers in the Chilliwack and Fraser-Cascade School Districts. Focuses on teachers and educators forming relationships, learning. growing, and sharing using social media.
Clint Hamada & Keri-Lee Beasley shared this presentation at the IB AP Conference in Singapore on March 16th 2012.
It provides ideas for teachers getting started in building their own Personal Learning Network (PLN).
Leading and Learning by Example in the Blended Learning SchoolTamritz
Sarah Blattner, Founder and Executive Director of TAMRITZ, shares how to begin shifting to a culture of modern learning within in your school -- develop web literacy skills; tinker; transform learning spaces; invert the learning paradigm towards active creators; blog; develop your professional learning network; get savvy about online safety, online research, creative commons and copyright. Model connected learning habits; generously share; reach out to your parent community and more.
Moving Beyond the Newsletter: Communicating Through Social MediaChris Wejr
Presentation at the BC Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils (BCCPAC) annual spring conference in Richmond, BC. Working with parents and families to become aware of the possibilities for enhanced home-school communication and helping PACs to connect with the parents community at their schools.
Educational Collisions: How Social Media Can Foster Professional GrowthChris Wejr
Pecha Kucha presentation for the BC Education SFU Technology Symposium on how social media can lead to intellectual collisions that foster professional growth.
Seabird Education Committee: Learning From our Aboriginal CommunitiesChris Wejr
A thank you presentation given to the Seabird Island Education Committee for the years of discussions, challenge, and support that have helped me grow as an educator and as a person.
In 2012-13, Kent School worked with parents and community to build a hill in their back field to promote outdoor play. This is the highlights presentation to the Board of Education of Fraser-Cascade School District.
Webinar presentation for Education Week as part of their series "The Driven Classroom". Focusing on creating the conditions for student motivation at a school level. Key aspects of presentation are growth mindset, assessment for learning, moving away from rewards and awards.
Instructional Leadership: Creating the Conditions #leadership20Chris Wejr
Presentation given on October 30, 2012 as part of the #Leadership20 learning series MOOC. Inquires about and describes successful strategies and ideas to create instructional leadership in schools.
Motivation From Within: Moving Away From Awards, Rewards, PunishmentChris Wejr
Presentation at the 2012 Connecting Leaders Conference British Columbia. Shares the stories of how a school had moved away from awards, honour roll, rewards, and punishments to see school culture flourish.
Professional Learning Through Social Media: WHY?Chris Wejr
Presentation given to educators in the Fraser-Cascade School District (BC) about WHY we need to share and connect as professional learners. Also includes the HOW of Twitter.
Synthetic Fiber Construction in lab .pptxPavel ( NSTU)
Synthetic fiber production is a fascinating and complex field that blends chemistry, engineering, and environmental science. By understanding these aspects, students can gain a comprehensive view of synthetic fiber production, its impact on society and the environment, and the potential for future innovations. Synthetic fibers play a crucial role in modern society, impacting various aspects of daily life, industry, and the environment. ynthetic fibers are integral to modern life, offering a range of benefits from cost-effectiveness and versatility to innovative applications and performance characteristics. While they pose environmental challenges, ongoing research and development aim to create more sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives. Understanding the importance of synthetic fibers helps in appreciating their role in the economy, industry, and daily life, while also emphasizing the need for sustainable practices and innovation.
A Strategic Approach: GenAI in EducationPeter Windle
Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies such as Generative AI, Image Generators and Large Language Models have had a dramatic impact on teaching, learning and assessment over the past 18 months. The most immediate threat AI posed was to Academic Integrity with Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) focusing their efforts on combating the use of GenAI in assessment. Guidelines were developed for staff and students, policies put in place too. Innovative educators have forged paths in the use of Generative AI for teaching, learning and assessments leading to pockets of transformation springing up across HEIs, often with little or no top-down guidance, support or direction.
This Gasta posits a strategic approach to integrating AI into HEIs to prepare staff, students and the curriculum for an evolving world and workplace. We will highlight the advantages of working with these technologies beyond the realm of teaching, learning and assessment by considering prompt engineering skills, industry impact, curriculum changes, and the need for staff upskilling. In contrast, not engaging strategically with Generative AI poses risks, including falling behind peers, missed opportunities and failing to ensure our graduates remain employable. The rapid evolution of AI technologies necessitates a proactive and strategic approach if we are to remain relevant.
Normal Labour/ Stages of Labour/ Mechanism of LabourWasim Ak
Normal labor is also termed spontaneous labor, defined as the natural physiological process through which the fetus, placenta, and membranes are expelled from the uterus through the birth canal at term (37 to 42 weeks
Introduction to AI for Nonprofits with Tapp NetworkTechSoup
Dive into the world of AI! Experts Jon Hill and Tareq Monaur will guide you through AI's role in enhancing nonprofit websites and basic marketing strategies, making it easy to understand and apply.
2024.06.01 Introducing a competency framework for languag learning materials ...Sandy Millin
http://sandymillin.wordpress.com/iateflwebinar2024
Published classroom materials form the basis of syllabuses, drive teacher professional development, and have a potentially huge influence on learners, teachers and education systems. All teachers also create their own materials, whether a few sentences on a blackboard, a highly-structured fully-realised online course, or anything in between. Despite this, the knowledge and skills needed to create effective language learning materials are rarely part of teacher training, and are mostly learnt by trial and error.
Knowledge and skills frameworks, generally called competency frameworks, for ELT teachers, trainers and managers have existed for a few years now. However, until I created one for my MA dissertation, there wasn’t one drawing together what we need to know and do to be able to effectively produce language learning materials.
This webinar will introduce you to my framework, highlighting the key competencies I identified from my research. It will also show how anybody involved in language teaching (any language, not just English!), teacher training, managing schools or developing language learning materials can benefit from using the framework.
How to Make a Field invisible in Odoo 17Celine George
It is possible to hide or invisible some fields in odoo. Commonly using “invisible” attribute in the field definition to invisible the fields. This slide will show how to make a field invisible in odoo 17.
3. Parents are educators too. A parent is a child’s fir
teacher. And that does not have to end once a chi
begins school. It should continue to grow and evolv
with new parent, teacher, school and communi
relationships; relationships that are strengthened b
engaging in meaningful dialogue, mutual respect, tru
and collaboratio
Tracy Bachelli
4. We should contact [parents] when there is a
problem, it's good when they don't "bother" us, we
need them to raise money, and we can blame them
for all kinds of things we're not happy about.
Unfortunately, research and experience show that
these attitudes do not lead to the kind of school-
family connections that raise student achievement.
Larry Ferlazzo
cc licensed ( BY NC ND ) flickr photo by Holy Outlaw:
http://flickr.com/photos/holyoutlaw/154393425/
5. Want to learn more about how
to engage parents?
Ask PARENTS!
6. A principal who develops strong relationships with
parents and parent groups, will have parents who are
more likely to become involved in the school community,
and this in turn will have a strong impact on the overall
effectiveness and inclusiveness of the school.
Sheila Stewart
8. The difference
between involvement
and engagement can
be summed up as the
difference between a
community dinner
and a potluck.
Mary-Lou VanBerkel
cc licensed flickr photo by seniwati:
http://flickr.com/photos/seniwati/5955739211/
9. Team or Partners?
cc licensed flickr photo by o5com:
http://flic.kr/p/8XmTsG
10. “Opportunity for 2-way
communication
often IS the parent engagement”
Sheila Stewart
cc licensed ( BY NC ) flickr photo by P Shanks:
http://flickr.com/photos/pshanks/411196422/
13. You can work hard to run all these
events to get parents into the school…
but the most important thing is how
they are treated when they are there.
Kent
School Parent
14. It is not about technology
nor is it about events…
it is about how we view
parent engagement
in our schools.
cc licensed flickr photo by Dominic's pics: http://flickr.com/photos/dominicspics/4626456660/
15. We don’t have to agree…
but we must seek to understand.
Stan Watchorn
Image: http://flic.kr/p/j3VJg
16. cc licensed ( BY NC SA ) flickr photo by Manonet: http://flic.kr/p/LZeuM
Parents are doing
the best they can.
17. Be aware of what we carry in
our “invisible knapsacks”
cc licensed ( BY NC ) flickr photo by Patrick McEvoy-Halston:
http://flickr.com/photos/patrickmh/260205390/
18. Ghosts of the Past
cc licensed ( BY NC ) flickr photo by eebeejay: http://flickr.com/photos/magnopere/268625808/
19. Model Care &
Understanding
of Different
Generations
cc licensed ( BY ) flickr photo by edanley:
http://flickr.com/photos/edanley/4289324169/
21. Telling parents is a lot different
Image: Kumon.com
Than working WITH parents
22. Who is at the table?
When are they at the table?
cc licensed flickr photo by lrargerich: http://flickr.com/photos/lrargerich/3130536999/
23. School Planning Councils
British Columbia
School planning councils acknowledge the importance of
parental involvement and formalize the role of parents in
developing plans to improve student achievement in all
schools in British Columbia.
School planning councils are advisory bodies. Their major
responsibility is to develop, monitor and review school plans
for student achievement in consultation with the school
community.
24. cc licensed flickr photo by gibsonsgolfer: http://flic.kr/p/9xgxFb
Build Community
36. “As valued and trusted participants
in education, it is more likely that
parent involvement will benefit
principal leadership, teacher
support, and student learning, as
well as contribute to an inclusive,
vibrant school community.”
Sheila Stewart
37. Creating the Conditions…
1. Build community, build trust
2. Ask parents how to best engage
3. Communicate WITH parents; meet them where they
are
4. Truly listen
5. Seek to understand
6. Create opportunities for formal/informal dialogue
7. Provide windows into the school – share the stories
8. Be transparent
9. Share the positives
10. Be patient
38. Connect With Me
www.chriswejr.com
About.me/ChrisWejr
@chriswejr
Facebook.com/chriswejr
chriswejr@gmail.com
Editor's Notes
Hope to share some ideas that I have learned as well as steal some more and gain feedback.We need to move past the idea that our parents are there to fundraise.We cannot make parents be engaged… this is a principal’s perspective on how school’s can create the conditions for parent engagement.
My story… who am I? Principal, Father, Husband, Teacher (elem and sec), Learner, CoachPrevious high school math/science/PE teacher – taught intermediate as a VP, small amount of primary as a principalPassionate about assessment, motivation, leadership, family engagementInterest in family engagement came from previous principal and the parents that I have worked with at our school. It was just something she did and I have really known no other way.We are by no means experts at our school and we contnue to learn about how to best engage and involve our families
Focus of this session will be on the last statement… how can school’s create the conditions for this to happen.
Larry has been someone who has helped me in a big way. We do hear this sometimes as parents should just let the professionals do their job (and help their kid with their HW). There does need to be a respect and trust in the profession but if a parent has questions about their child’s education – this can be a chance for dialogue.Many teachers and admin do not feel this way and instead focus on the school-family connections that Larry describes in his work. This will be our focus.
I have not read books or attended any courses on this… what I have done is spoken to a lot of parents about how to best engage them in schools. This session is filled with ideas that I have stolen from others… I can tell you right now that almost none of them are my own. Reading blogs, networking with parents in and out of the school have helped me to develop my views on parent/family engagement. I still have a long way to go but I look forward to continually learning from those parents in my learning network.
Momentum – which way is our school heading? What kind of parent and staff relationships am I modeling?
We often make judgments about who is engaged and who is not. We also often state that engagement is better than involvement. Yet the most important thing is that parents feel they have a voice and a role in their child’s education… how they use this is up to them.
Ferlazzo differentiates between by stating involvement is about “doing to” and engagement is about “doing WITH”. Leading with our mouths vs leading with our ears. There is a role for both but are we more focused on what schools are saying and doing vs engaging in dialogue with parents on this?
4 moms one dream - A team consists of more than one person, each of whom typically has different responsibilities, skills, knowledge and roles: each person brings something unique and of value to the team.What do you think? Is partnership a reasonable goal or is more about teamwork? Does it really matter what we call it? Defining this is more about how we act with our families. A voice that is heard and acted upon.
So if 2-way communication plays a large role, how can work to improve on this? Mouth and Ears? How can we create the conditions for this to occur?
Move from mouth as the focus to both mouth and ears…. Ultimate goal is relationships – are we modeling that we want to and will hear? Are we visible when parents are in the building?2-way communication in small bits rather than large events a few times during the year.LISTEN – don’t have to agree but we need to listenMove from Newsletters (and magazines) to blogsShare ideas – help discuss the WHYBlogs, Facebook pages – tie together
Most of this stuff we did last year... But added a few things. Now about to release an app. I want to meet parents where they are and this means options. Also, rather than only newsletters, I started a school blog – comments and more “in time” info for parents. Parent communication that embraces WITH rather than TOHHG – parents appreciate small bits of information more often. ONGOING classroom and school communication.
Made me reflect on what is truly important. Much like technology and one day events can portray that we are doing great things… what happens on an ongoing basis is what really matters.
Go deeper and understand what is really important. Events and tech are ways we can reach out to parents… but the most important this is what happens after this. Do we acknowledge the feedback? Do we do anything with the feedback? Do we engage in the conversation? Use 2.0 tools to enhance, not replace relationships.
There are many areas of education that society does not come to consensus. Consensus is rarely the goal but we need to hear where people are coming from and seek to understand the concerns. Often, just having someone show empathy or hear you can make a huge difference. Now, if we say we are going to DO something, we need to DO it.
Seek to understand. See through each parents’ lens. If parents could do better, they would do better.Involvement/engagement is a continuum…Work WITH parents to provide support to create the conditions for increased involvement and engagement if there is a desire to do so.Informal to formalHome to school; include other family membersInvolved to engagedAll is ok… as long as parents are where they want to be
Peggy McIntosh – made me fme reflect on the advantages I have as a middle class white male.Be careful not to judge parents – especially those whose shoes we have never even been close to being in.Understand, show empathy.Poverty, Racism, ResidentialSchoolsMany do not have the economic or cultural capital that others have – money, time, language, support, education, access, etc“They just need to work harder” shows a lack of understanding.
Residential SchoolsBad experiences – bullying, failure, relationship with schoolPrincipal’s officeSeek to understand, invisible knapsack, listenRedefine the principal’s office. Get rid of the big oak desk between the principal/teacher and the parent.
Parents/kids these daysDifferent times, different choices – we cannot judge parents of different times, we cannot judge kids in different times. Seek to understand and work WITH as a community.
Stop putting people in boxes and working with the box…. and instead work with people! We don’t need all these ideas about punishing and rewarding parents… we need to meet them where they are, listen and move forward together.
We often hear school and educators telling parents how to best support their child. Is this 2-way dialogue or is it information being sent out? Are we leading with our mouths or our ears? It is one thing to encourage reading with your child but if we do this as well as sending home hours of HW each night and punishing kids for not doing it – we send mixed messages. Meet parents where they are. There is a role for encouraging involvement and engagement but it is often about how this message is sent – if people feel like they are being told what to do, the intended impact of the message may be lost.
Informal to Formal - We often hear that parents are obstacles to education reform… why would they not be when they are not included in the conversation and are forced to trust and hope it works out. Parents(and students and many times teachers) are often included in the decision… after the decision has already been made.Simon Sinek – Start with Why – the first question we often hear from parents is: WHY? What if some parents were more formally included in the reform conversation from the start rather than being included once the decision has already been made?
Formal in BC - Does not work at all schools… much like most policies, it is about what you do with these. 3 parents at each school plus students and teacher and admin. (Teachers have been told not to be part of the SPC so we include their voice in different ways). Have had an SPC that tells me like it is and also shares their learning with me. We have great dialogue on student learning and ed reform. Meet once a month and more in the spring when we are finalizing the school plan.
I am sure that parent involvement helps with achievement but that is not the focus for me. The focus for me is community. Effective relationships with families make school more enjoyable for families, students, and staff. This will have a direct and indirect impact on so many things in schools… including achievement.
Ask parents.Hear parents. LISTENDo what you say you are going to do or any trust could be lost.
Lead through listening. (Sheila)Mitch Albom - Story of girl dancing in the kitchen wanting to share a drawing she’d made a school. Mom tending to the cooking.
Redefine the principal’s office. Get out of the office. Get rid of the big oak desk barrier.Redefine parent-teacher interviews. Student-led conference. Seek to understand. Peer through their lens.
Understand how to best communicate with each family. Nurture the relationships. Find staff members who communicate well with the family. Show empathy. Use tech for some things but avoid if possible for important conversations.
How do you determine barriers for families – different families may have different barriers. ASK! May find some similarities. For example, coming into the school and not knowing anyone. Meet in different area. Travel to the communities.
First Nation Parent Group meets before every FN honouring ceremony. Personally invite parents and ask for feedback. (story about sharing positives)
Use technology - Instagram, animoto. Facebook, Flickr, blogging(Media release form)
Share clear expectations/criteria/standards – academic, socialTake out the guess work
What is the first message parents receive? What do parents feel when they see the school on the call display?Friday 5 positive phone calls… now do throughout the week. Just to let parents know that I know their child. Also added “is there anything we can help you with?”
HHG – a good reminder – “feels like we are having the same conversation each year” – you are as the parents are new each year.
Share your school’s stories… blog, create videos, student blogs and videos, images. 10 Good Things to Talk About each Friday blog.
This sums it up – this is a crucial part of what we do. Important for principals to model this.