Thank You Posting EDU 411

To my classmates thank you for responding to postings and your ongoing support this term. Today, in light of the school shooting in Connecticut I am deeply sadden by the event. I see more than ever how important the work we are doing is. In honor of the victims I will dedicate my efforts to advocate on behalf of children. Happy Holidays Dear Classmates and I wish you well!

Family and Professional Interaction

I observed an interaction between a parent that is Spanish speaking and a teacher that does not speak any Spanish. The observation took place in a Head Start four year old classroom. The mother who is Spanish speaking came to check on her son who just started in the classroom. The teacher tried to reassure the mom that her son who doing ok and having fun with the other children. The teacher was speaking in and normal voice and smiling a lot. I observed that the mother did not seem to understand. She seemed worried but told her son goodbye and went home.

After the mother was gone I was told that she keeps him at home if she checks on him and he cries. As a parent of a young child it can be hard to let your child stay at school if they cry. I feel it is even harder if you cannot understand what the teacher is saying to you.

I asked if Head Start had any ELL classrooms. The teacher told me they did not have any ELL classrooms. I feel that this is unfortunate because there are two children in that classroom that could benefit from an ELL setting. The little boy who I will call James does not say one word in class and is somewhat isolated from the other children. Not only would children from non-English speaking homes benefit but the parents who did not know English will be able to communication affective with the teacher because the teacher will know their native language.

I can advocate for Pensacola Head Start to have some ELL classrooms. If they cannot have ELL classrooms then I can advocate for having the teachers to learn a second language. I feel if you have non-English speaking students in your classroom you need to know some based phases in the language the child and the family knows to aid in communication. I live in Florida and the state has a large Hispanic population. Knowing Spanish is a valuable skill to have in my state, because many families understand very little English. Every parent should be able to have good communication with the teacher, and the students feel more comfortable if the teacher can understand what they are saying.

charla holley Edu 411 blog 3

1.    Who you observed and interacted with in your setting (provide background information regarding their position, their education, and their years of experience in early childhood education)

I observed Mrs. Eddie Jones she is the Volunteer Coordinator at Escambia County Head Start. She not only supervises  parents, students, and other  volunteers , but she  also works on getting Head Start parents without GED’s enrolled in the classes they need. Mrs. Jones holds both a Bachelors and a Masters degree. She born, raised, and educated in Pensacola Florida. She graduated from UWF a local college in the Pensacola area. Mrs. Jones has worked at Head start for over fifteen years.

2.    What you observed or discussed (for example parental involvement in advocacy efforts)

We discussed that it can be hard to get the parents to volunteer in the classroom. One of the goals of the Head Start program is to have parent involvement in the classroom setting. Mrs. Jones said that male involvement is especially hard to achieve.  I was told it is even harder to get the parents involved in advocacy efforts.

3.    Describe current and past advocacy programs conducted in the setting.

The advocacy program conducts parent meetings and parent trainings. Last month they had Books with Dads event that let the father read to the children and advocate for early literacy.

4.    Describe the administration’s perspective on the advocacy needs for teachers, staff, children, and children’s families.

The administration meets the advocacy needs for teachers, staff, children, and children’s families by having committees made up of parents and staff. Trainings are provided for the parents, staff, and teachers on a variety of educational, and child developmental topics. The most important thing is for parents to be involved with their child’s education.

5 .    How did these observations broaden your understanding of how to work with administrators on advocacy efforts?

One thing I have learned about Head Start is that it has a lot of bureaucracy. The Head start program in Pensacola has a long chain of command. There are many different departments, and every department seems to only handle one thing. The advocacy is mainly handled by the Family Services Department.

6. Review the research that you have completed on your topic. Describe the research recommendations regarding involving administrators with advocacy efforts. If this is not addressed in the research, how do you plan to work with administrators on your advocacy plan?

        My advocacy plan was not addressed at this time. I plan to get feedback on my research soon. I will find out what steps they are taking to advocate for children who are abused or neglected.

Interacting with professionals Charla Holley

Observing and Interacting With Professionals, Children, and Families in an Early Childhood Setting

Name: Charla Holley

Date: October 22, 2012

Name of Program/Setting: Head Start

Who I spoke with: Ms.Colett

What I learned about … I learned about Head Start Curriculum, Fire Safety Drills and about making Play dough.  The Curriculum that is use at the site is the Creative Curriculum.

Two insights, experiences, or quotes that I will share in my blog this week…

 Ms.Colett said that the curriculum has changed from last year. She does not like the way Creative Curriculum is set-up. She feels that the lessons have too many parts and components to them. I saw her struggling to connect all the different parts together. The lesson was about small, medium and large. She used the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears to teach the concept. It was hard to get the idea across because the children are use to Mama, Papa and Baby Bear. The children never looked at the bears as small, medium, and large. Ms. Colett said “I wish we could go back to the old curriculum.”

Another experience was getting to help with a bus fire drill. Mr. Hobbs from the main Head Start center came to the Langley site to teach the children about get off the bus if a fire happened. I helped the children to get out of the back of the bus during the drill. This was the first time I ever did a bus fire drill. Half of the children were suppose to get off the front of the bus and half were  suppose to get off the back, but during the drill most of the children when out the back. It was confusing but fun at the same time.

EDU 411 Interview Blog 1 Cholley

I interviewed Allica Coleman a Site Director and Head Teacher in Escambia Co. Head Start. She has worked for Head start for thirteen years. During the interview we discussed advocacy groups on the national and local level. Ms. Coleman is a member of NAEYC. NAEYC is a national group that advocates for young children. I was told that on the local level she works   closely with the Family Advocates that work at Head Start.  The Family Advocates help families in the program to get the help and services they need. Ms. Coleman feels that parents not volunteering in the classroom and the lack of male involvement are her biggest concerns and the biggest challenge she faces in her classroom.  I also talked to Mary Wright at third grade teacher. Mrs. Wright feels that student do not have enough time for subjects like social studies. Try to give her student a well rounded education is her biggest challenge.

I was at one time a Family Support Worker for A program called Healthy Families. My job was somewhat similar to what a Family Advocate does in Head Start. I feel family advocacy is an area of interest to me. I wonder if male involvement with pre-k programs has been shown to make a different in the long term outcomes of children.  One related topic is Head Start long term outcomes. Another related topic is the affects of two parent households on academic success. The last related topic I came up with is are the family advocates making a difference in the lives of the families they serve.

 I may have missed the boat so to speak with my topics. I am not trying to attack Head Start. I feel Head Start is a great program. Head Start is one of the first national early childhood programs. (www.cwla.org/advocacy/headstart.htm) I hope my colleagues do not feel I am attacking this program.

 Works Cited

Allica Coleman a Site Director and Head Teacher in Escambia Co. Head Start, Interview.

Mary Wright Escambia Co. Schools Third Grade Teacher, Interview.

                          (www.cwla.org/advocacy/headstart.htm)