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.
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ReplyDeleteI understand the concern you may have on the male teaching role in head start, and I believe that the teaching roll for male is very low. Many male student look at the male figures in their classroom as father figures as someone who they connect more to and who they look at as role models. When I go to these in-services and I see a few males attending the meeting as well and it a great feeling to know that the men are willing to give just as much as woman to educate children and know that they are here to provide the service and education for the children.
ReplyDeleteI agree there are not very many male teachers. Also many families I see are single parent families and often times the children do not even see their fathers. It is just as important for fathers to be in a child's live as thier mother. It would be nice for all parents to be more involved in the lives of their children and their schooling. These days single and two parent families are not as involved becuase parents are working. They have to work which ever shift they can get and sometimes work two jobs. So this prevents them from being as involved.
ReplyDeleteHi, Charla, I look forward to reading your blog!
ReplyDeleteBernice :)