I talked with a parent who has a son in our program at this time. He also had a son in the program last year, and the year before that. He is a member of the parent board, and is concerned about the changes coming to Head Start for the 2012-2013 school year. He has just recently finished schooling to become a police officer. He knows the importance of an education, but he does not feel that it is fair to replace teacher's who have been with the Head Start program for several years. He feels that even though these teacher's lack the college education experience, they have the on the job experience. He also knows the Head Start program provides trainings about how to take care of children, and the families.
He is a father who comes in the classroom to volunteer when he can. He reads with his son, and will do puzzles with him. He advocates for our program by being a member of the parent council. They meet to discuss ways of providing educational learning trips for the children, ideas for educational activities to incorporate into the classroom environment, and family gatherings that provide cultural/educational learning.
An example of a family gathering that provides cultural/educational learning would be our annual winter dance. Last year we sent home different colors of construction paper, and encourage the parents to work with their families to come up with a heritage flag. The families did an awesome job. We had flags from Spain, England, Italy, America, Germany, etc. Also, we picked a multicultural book about families to read during the get together. Finally, we had different multicultural foods to serve at the dance. The parents get together to come up with these ideas for family gatherings, and they come and help us teachers set-up, and take down the decorations for the family gathering.
Finally, some of the parents in the past, and the parents of now, have advocated for our program by sending letters to our congressmen. They have also gone to our capital in Madison to speak about our program. We have had legislators in the past tour our center, and other Head Start centers. I feel we need to do this again, especially now when the economy is such at a low. We had heard that a center close to us had a legislator come in and visit their center. This is such an important way to advocate for our program. The legislators can actually see proof of how we prepare children for school readiness skills.
Hi Gloria, I do feel that this parents concerns about replacing teachers who have been long standing with the program are valid. I feel that the work experience of any profession is never taken seriously. And the government needs to step in and either put work experience as a criteria for learning experience, or pay for more of the education that teachers need to stay in their jobs.
ReplyDeleteI am prime example of a teacher who was preschool musidc teacher taken away because of my education was only an associates degree in both early Childhood and music. So I would need to get more education in both areas alrthough I have experience in both. They do not pay the bills at all. I found myself stuck every month with bills that were regular utility bills cause I have no credit cards. We need to be seen for the experience we carry as well as education. and experience I think weighs more than education, for we are hands on trained to do our work.
Gloria, I feel that the teachers that have been working in the program should not be replaced because they lack the education, they have the experience with children. You have picked an important topic. Thank you for your support on my topic of bullying. Good luck with your schooling and your future.
ReplyDeleteJennifer Murray