Archive for March, 2008
« Previous EntriesMy Top 5 Reasons why students drop out of our school district
By Lisa Pfister | Monday, March 31st, 2008
Hillsboro School District: (Grades K-6th, population I currently work with.)
1) Students from dysfunctional families
2) Behavioral and Social problems
3) Frequent moves from school-to-school
4) Drug and alcohol problems
5) Self-esteem issues
What are your school’s main reasons for drop out?
Topics: Questions | No Comments »
Additional Reasons students may drop out of school
By Lisa Pfister | Monday, March 31st, 2008
Reasons students drop out of school: homelessness, poverty, needing to care for younger siblings while parents work, learning disabilities, or un-diagnosed learning disabilities, family does not have an education over the third grade and can’t help their children with their school work, mental health issues, attention deficit disorders, domestic violence in the home, drug and alcohol abuse by family or student, physical abuse, mental and sexual abuse, lack of medical attention, etc…
Additional reasons: high rate of absenteeisms, lack of motivation to be in-school, low or failing grades, negativity towards school, lack of parental involvement, lack of parenting, and the neighborhoods the students reside in, including lack of positive peer interactions.
*Looking for other elementary professionals to list their reasons for possible drop out rates for their school districts.
Topics: Dropouts | No Comments »
Chalkboard Project - Giving away 5 Making Connections scholarships
By Lydia Brooks | Thursday, March 27th, 2008
If you or someone you know would like free access to Making Connections send your story about why mentoring is important to you to The Chalkboard Project, info@chalkboardproject.org
The first 5 people to send in their stories will be given scholarships to Making Connections!
Topics: Mentor Stories, Things to do | No Comments »
Educating Children on Their Cultural Heritage
By Tobi Kibel Piatek | Tuesday, March 25th, 2008
I am huge fan of streaming audio. It allows me to listen to my favorite radio programs, any time, any place. Yesterday, while surfing for ideas, I came across this wonderful broadcast on NPR’s Tell Me More, hosted by Michel Martin. I think it is definitely worth sharing.
This program features an interview with the Mocha Moms, Jolene Ivey, Cheli English-Figaro and Davina McFarlan. They are members of a support group for stay at home mothers of color. They share information on child rearing and other family topics. Special guest, Dr. Marguerite White a child psychologist, added to the conversation.
In this interview, the discussion is about navigating issues of color, appearance and self worth, and how to teach children to become culturally conscious. The conversation includes practical tips as well as anecdotes from home and school. Its lively and personal.
Though this discussion is targeted at parents, the information and ideas are relevant to teachers and mentors. Dr. White offers advice on how healthy parenting can help create a culturally sound household and positive interactions with teachers.
Listen to Tell Me More online at http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=16038285
Click the Listen on the Tell Me More page (above) to hear Dr. White’s tips for participating in parent-teacher conferences
Topics: Culturally Competent, Resources for Mentor, Resources for Teacher | No Comments »
Youth Today includes Mentoring Resources Page
By Tobi Kibel Piatek | Monday, March 24th, 2008
Thanks Lydia for directing us to Youth Today. I notice that there is a full page of mentoring resources at http://youthtoday.org/publication/results.cfm?topic=23
I also notice that to access these many resources, you need to subscribe to the publication. A year’s subscription, $29.50) includes monthly print editions and 24/7/365 access to Youth Today Online.
A 10 day free trial is available - http://youthtoday.org/publication/register.cfm
Topics: Resources for Mentor, Resources for Teacher | No Comments »
Youth Today Newspaper
By Lydia Brooks | Monday, March 24th, 2008
Youth Today Newspaper is a publication geared toward people doing youth work. They also have a great support website.http://youthtoday.org
Topics: Culturally Competent, Mentor Stories, Recommended reading, Resources for Mentor | No Comments »
About the Course
By PSU Admin | Friday, March 21st, 2008
About the Course
Making Connections: Strong Relationships Help Keep Kids in School
An innovative online learning tool designed to build strong, positive, lasting relationships with kids at-risk of dropping out. Some of the content contained in this course is adapted from work developed by Donna Beegle, Ed.D.
- For mentors, educators, counselors and volunteers
- Information, strategies, resources and a network of support
Benefits to your organization:
Benefits to volunteers
|
3 Ways to Make Connections
Click here to register to take this course for credit Click here for register to take this course non credit Click here to view course syllabus For more information, please contact
Program Manager PSU Continuing Education Graduate School of Education plato@pdx.edu Tobi Kibel Piatek Online Instructor Tobi@infogenii.com |
Topics: Uncategorized | Comments Off
Syllabus
By PSU Admin | Wednesday, March 19th, 2008
Syllabus
Please see: http://makingconnections.ceed.pdx.edu/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/syllabus.html
Topics: Uncategorized | Comments Off
Great speaker
By Corey Goldberg | Monday, March 17th, 2008
I recently attended a conference presented by the U.S. Department of Education, for recent grantees and their mentoring programs. I had the opportunity to sit in on a seminar with an amazing speaker. His name is Charlie Appelstein and he spoke about strenght-based mentoring. He has a website www.charliea.com and has written some books. He was one of the most engaging, humorous, and inspirational speakers I have ever heard.
Topics: Recommended reading | No Comments »
Classroom management and creating relationships
By Lydia Brooks | Monday, March 17th, 2008
I’m a little late to the party but there is a great conversation happening on educators Dan Meyer’s (http://blog.mrmeyer.com/?p=665#comment-66900) and TMAO’s blogs (http://www.roomd2.blogspot.com/) regarding relationship building and classroom management.
I especially liked this point TMAO made in the comments on Dan’s blog:
” ‘Christian also writes: “What [many teachers] fail to do is validate their students in the process.’
Now we’re getting somewhere. This is the start of how you validate yourself, because you need to validate yourself. Not as someone with a title and the capacity to punish, because that is a given, but as a real person. You need to validate yourself as someone who works for kids, who is there to benefit and assist. That is NOT a given in many, many communities.”
Topics: Things to do | No Comments »
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