Archive for March, 2009
Next Entries »Mentoring Programs Change Lives
By Tobi Kibel Piatek | Monday, March 16th, 2009
Mentoring was in the news this weekend, or at least, in the Parade magazine tucked into my Sunday Oregonian. With so many people losing jobs (and gaining extra time) I thought this article was a timely and upbeat reminder of how making a difference in one life, can create positive outcomes in unexpected ways.
A two-page spread, Mentoring Programs Change Lives, by Kevin Sessums , illustrates perfectly one of the key reasons for offering this course and resources to support mentors and potential mentors. As the article subtitle states, when one person mentors, two lives are changed. But it is not always easy.
Sessums’ article is his story, about his relationship with one (lucky) boy, but it is also the story of how his time with his mentor has enriched his life. And, it is an open invitation for YOU to get involved in a relationship which has so much potential for so much benefit.
You Can Mentor A Child
Millions of young people want or need mentors, and mentoring groups encourage people to donate time according to their own comfort level. Many programs are flexible about scheduling and offer support to mentors in the early stages.
“I think for a lot of people there is a bit of trepidation—even fear—in establishing a mentor relationship,” says Judith N. Vredenburgh, president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, the nation’s largest mentoring organization. “It’s not a natural one at first. It usually takes three to six months for trust to develop. That’s what we are here for—to offer structured support for these relationships in the early days—with the safety of the child our most important concern.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters serves 255,000 children through its 394 affiliates across America. Its successful Mentoring Brothers campaign enlists African-American men in its programs. Though 35% of the boys who are mentored are African-Americans, only 15% of mentors are.
In this and many other mentoring programs, children are matched with adult volunteers—after background checks and a careful interview process—based on location and common interests. Many matches develop into lasting friendships.
How to Give of Yourself
Mentoring a child can have a powerful impact. It doesn’t require a financial commitment but rather a willingness to give your time and share your experiences. Here are some organizations to consider.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America bbbs.org
The oldest mentoring organization, with more than a century of service, it serves children 6 to 18.
Foster Grandparent Program seniorcorps.gov
Works with Americans ages 60 and older who are able to mentor a child for up to 40 hours a week.
Mentoring Children of Prisoners: Caregiver’s Choice (mentoring.org/caregiverschoice
Brings together mentors and children whose parents are incarcerated.
For other mentoring opportunities in your area, go to mentoring.org
Topics: How to Help, Mentor Stories, Resources for Mentor | 1 Comment »
Modeling Cultural Competence
By Tobi Kibel Piatek | Wednesday, March 11th, 2009
The Search Institute in Minnesota has been conducting research to better understand what kids need to succeed. They have identified 40 concrete, positive experiences and qualities that they call “developmental assets” that appear to have a tremendous influence on young people’s lives. One of the asset categories they have identified is social competencies. In this category, the Search Institute has identified cultural competence as a developmental asset. They define a culturally competent young person as one “who has knowledge of and comfort with people of different cultural and ethnic backgrounds.”
There is a great list of ways that families can build cultural competencence in an article by Laura Stanton, Extension Agent, Family and Consumer Sciences, Community Development, Butler County, I have adapted these ideas to provide suggestions that teachers and mentors can use too. Stanton says, “Parents who wish to develop a culturally competent home environment first need to examine their own attitudes and behaviors” This is certainly true for teachers, mentors and counselors too, because “it is unreasonable to expect our children to behave in ways that we do not.”
The article reminds us that it is essential to “actively seek out opportunities to develop cultural competence.”
20 Ways to Build Cultural Competence
• Acknowledge that we live in a society with pervasive biases.
• Honor and celebrate the holidays of different ethnic and religious groups.
• Bring books, dolls, music, images, and toys that reflect diversity into your home, classroom and program space.
• When possible, travel to areas in the United States and around the world where you can immerse yourself in another culture. Keep in mind that ‘armchair travel,” by book, film, food and imagination can open new vistas almost as well as actually being there.
• Explore the cultural and ethnic heritage in your own family and community.
• Visit culturally rich art galleries and museums. Attend culturally diverse dance performances, musicals, concerts, festivals, and other events. Or, find ways to bring them into your school or program.
• Show that you value diversity in the friends you choose, the books you share, the images you surround yourself with, and in the businesses you utilize.
• Talk about stereotypes and discrimination. Encourage children to tell you if they witness prejudice or are a victim of it.
• Get involved with an organization that works in the area of social justice. This can offer many opportunities for kids to become involved in their own community.
• Learn a second or third language. Encourage all kids to share words in their native language.
• Discuss issues that you hear on the radio and see on TV or in movies.
• Be respectful. Create a family/classroom/program rule that makes it unacceptable to tease others because of their culture or ethnicity.
• Visit different religious and spiritual places of worship.
• Initiate activities and discussions that build positive self-identity and self-esteem. If we feel good about ourselves, we are less likely to make fun of others.
• Develop goals to help eliminate cultural bias and prejudice.
• Judge people by their qualities and not their looks.
• Dine at ethnic restaurants, or invite parents and community members to share their foods.
• Talk positively about people’s physical characteristics and cultural heritage.
• Provide opportunities to interact with people with different cultures, ethnic backgrounds, religions, and abilities.
• Be patient. Change takes time. Realize that transforming attitudes and behaviors can be challenging.
How do you encourage cultural competence in your classroom, in your family? Please add your ideas to this list.
Topics: Culturally Competent | 2 Comments »
Save the Date REMINDER: National Association for Multicultural Education Conference
By Tobi Kibel Piatek | Tuesday, March 10th, 2009
There is still time to register for The 2009 Oregon Chapter of NAME (National Association for Multicultural Education) Conference on May 1, 2009, at Western Oregon University in Monmouth.
For those who are not familiar with this wonderful resource for information AND inspiration, this organization describes itself as Advocates for Educational Equity and Social Justice.
The title of this year’s conference is Lies & Truths in Our History: Teaching What Happened — And What We Can Do About It Now. The conference will feature James Loewen as Keynoter, author of Lies My Teacher Told Me and Sundown Towns: A Hidden Dimension of American Racism.
Concurrent sessions throughout the day will focus on what works in preK-20 classrooms and the community. I attended last year’s conference. It was a full day opportunity to learn from people who are passionate about their work with kids and schools, about how to enrich our relationships, and strengthen our communities. In addition, the resources I collected have greatly enhanced my library. Many of the handouts and lots of great information from last year’s conference is available on their website at http://oregonname.org/2008handouts.htm
This conference is also an opportunity to share what YOU know, and what works in your classroom, program or community. A request for proposals will be forthcoming, and will also be posted on the website: http://oregonname.org.
“We are especially interested in proposals from educators that work with diverse populations who would like to showcase their successful strategies.”
Topics: Recommended Resources, Things to do, Upcoming Events | No Comments »
The Meaning of International Women’s Day
By Tobi Kibel Piatek | Saturday, March 7th, 2009
Sometimes its easier to let someone else say speak for you. Today is International Women’s Day. In my opinion, anyone, woman or man, who cares about kids, will understand the meaning of this simple message.
Just in case … for our kids to thrive and succeed, everyone - our parents, communities, families and schools must too.
Thanks Jan Eliot for doing my job for me today.
Topics: Inspiration | No Comments »
Top Five Reasons Why Students Drop Out
By Snoborder89 | Wednesday, March 4th, 2009
Five Reasons Students Drop Out
1. Drugs
2. Poverty
3. Racism/Persecution
4. No Parental Support
5. Course Load
Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »
Building Family/School Partnerships: What NOT TO DO (Edition 2)
By Tobi Kibel Piatek | Tuesday, March 3rd, 2009
Last term I provided a list of suggestions from course students on WHAT NOT TO DO when your goal is to create a classroom community where kids and parents feel comfortable and included.
This semester, students once again have shown their creativity, cultural competence and caring – this list is well worth sharing, and reading.
1. Don’t pick on/embarrass the students
2. Don’t show favoritism
3. Don’t encourage bad behavior by laughing
4. Don’t lose your temper or yell
5. Don’t speak of personal problems or gossip while in the classroom
6. Don’t ever make a child feel silly for asking a question
7. Don’t always say don’t, try to always say positive words
8. Don’t speak of “certain” student’s needs in front of other students
9. Don’t ignore parent helpers – and their ability to contribute to your classroom
10. Don’t underestimate parental involvement from working class or non-traditional families
11. Don’t ever be “too busy” to help a child
12. Don’t ignore students’ past achievements
13. Don’t overvalue the significance of a student’s income level
14. Don’t have/encourage unrealistic expectations for students
15. Don’t forget to build trust
16. Don’t assume parents aren’t involved with their child’s education
17. Don’t let the “business as usual” type of mentality get in the way of helping parents get involved with the school or with their child’s learning.
18. Don’t get demoralized by the negatives out there, though there is much work that needs to be done, there are a lot of teachers, parents, and students doing incredible things,
19. Don’t use stereotypes while communicating about ANY student.
20. Don’t be afraid of confrontations with parents for problem solving.
21. Don’t hesitate when asking parents to volunteer for school activities.
22. Don’t let the summer fly by without keeping your children’s minds active- read, go to museums, zoos, play games. (Teachers and mentors, Don’t forget to send lists of ideas home to families.)
23. Don’t pass up the Internet as only a place where kids play games or waste time. Steer parents and kids toward educational sites.
24. Don’t disappear at your child’s school. Introduce yourself!
25. Don’t wait to be invited to participate in your child’s education.
26. Don’t pass up invitations to attend school events.
27. Don’t judge students based on what others of their same culture have a tendency to do. And don’t underestimate the importance of culture in every life
28. Don’t get frustrated if a student’s English level is so low that you have to keep repeating and rephrasing the same things in order to get your message across.
29. Don’t rush; mistakes can be easily made.
30. Don’t get too close to students in a personal way; this makes relationships blurry and you less subjective.
31. Don’t correct students in a reprimanding way..always rephrase to be constructive.
32. Don’t try and handle a situation on your own when you feel uneasy.
33. Don’t neglect a student’s home culture or history. It plays a huge part in their decisions and plans.
34. Don’t forget that students may be stressed with school and may have problems at home that are affecting their academic success.
35. Don’t forget to offer extra help than what the student is asking for; sometimes we have to do a little extra fishing.
36. Don’t tell others about problems your students come to you with. Everything should be kept confidential
Topics: Creating a Positive, Family Involvement | 1 Comment »
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