Your voice - My lens!

"Parents bring knowledge about their children, their culture and values, their understanding of the community, and their own interests and accomplishments"...."In a democratic school, it's important to have more than a cadre of skilled parents leaders who represent the diversity of parent interests in the school... all families in the school community should be offered a wide variety of possibilities for participation" (p. 192)


YOUR VOICE:
Moving our school culture towards a true partnership school, where families and community stakeholders are truly partners in the educational system and process - every voice needs to be heard. For educators this can be an intimidating concept - a removal of power that in essence leaves them feeling powerless. On the contrary - this shared 'power' of having your voice be heard and your voice having equal value - is empowering for all stakeholders. It builds EFFICACY(the power to have an effect). Long gone are the days when teachers gather their flock together and enter a single room school house. It may have worked then - it sure doesn't work now. And here's why - one single person doesn't know it all - and can't do it all. We'd like to think we enter into education because we are super human  - and teachers sure can do a lot of things with super human strength - but I truly believe in the 'it takes a village' mentality.
If we say - please address your questions/comments/concerns as part of our email signature or newsletter closing - expect some negative comments and very time consuming concerns.

As I was kayaking with my family last Sunday, my middle child had a 'melt down' because he didn't want to step into the river and get his feet and flip flops wet. He could not articulate why - he just didn't want to. So for a moment there was a stand off - or sit off actually as he planted his behind in the bank of the Little Miami River, crossed his arms and began to pout - while my very patient husband sat in the kayak telling him that he HAD to get in!
"It is unrealistic to think that if you are going kayaking you will not get wet". He even had on his bathing suit in full expectation to get wet?!
You're going to get wet! You're going to get your hands dirty! Are you ready?

Even problematic situations or parents who are still learning how to negotiate this very complex school system hold efficacy. Each situation will be valuable in really listening (not just hearing) what is truly the heart of the words being said.

MY LENS:
One of our PTCamp members shared how a photographer can only capture the right picture with the right lens. Can I see your situation clearly if I don't reframe my perspective? - not at all! Am I going to be able to understand and truly empathize with situations I am not familiar with, probably not -but that's why we have cultural brokers and advocates who can help us see with the heart and mind!

As I continue to build my professional goals for this new school year - navigating working in three schools across the spread of K-12 - I'm beginning to build a platform for advocacy. Ways to make real connections that have an impact. I hope to share those with you and how they map out.
Removing my rose colored glasses and looking out with eyes (including my inner eye) wide open today!

Henderson, A. T. (2007). Beyond the bake sale: The essential guide to family-school partnerships. New York: New Press.