Summer Conference Day - July 6

During the keynote address, I could not stop thinking about the complex relationship teachers have with parents. Personally, I would be extremely happy if my encounters with parents were limited to parents- teachers interview. Because of past negative experiences I have erected a wall between me and parents who challenged my ability to teach their child. According to some parents, I was too strict, and my French was hard to understand by their child. Me, the only Francophone teacher in the school was apparently not able to speak French properly. I let my inner frustrations make me believe that it is almost impossible for teachers to interact positively with parents (family). In the past few years, I have made a more conscientious to maintain a certain level of communication with certain parents. I made sure to contact parents whose kids were at-risk academically (learning disabilities or not). When I had time, I would make some positive calls home (more enjoyable).

I do realize that open communication with parents is extremely valuable. However, I can seem to understand why so many parents simply did not make an effort to contact me. Why do I always hear and see the parents of students who are performing well academically? It is a parent’s job to care about their child’s academic success. Before today’s presentation, I did not realize that the reason why so many parents with at-risk children did not want to meet with me or any other teacher could have been a result of one of the followings:

1) lack of mobility

2) their voices are ignored by teachers and administrators

3) low socio-economic status (cannot afford to miss time from work)

4) felt intimidated by teachers and resources specialists, etc

Families of disabled children have a lot to deal with on a daily basis. They can be overwhelmed and exhausted for the most part. To attend another meeting to discuss their child may be the last thing on their to-do list.

Link to article about Parent-Teacher Conference

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1027505,00.html

Workshop: What’s Home got to do with it?

Presenter: Karen Dyke                              

During the morning presentation, Mrs. Dyke told us that the place that one calls home (Location) can influence the way teachers think about their job and their students. I do have to agree with her. In the past fifteen years, I had to adjust my teaching based on the audience (students) in front of me and the location of the school. For example, in one of the schools I taught at, I would censor a lot of information in textbooks because I was teaching in a Middle Eastern country. I had to obey the rules even though I did not agree with them. Still today, I sometime have the sad feelings that I compromised my students’ education. I did not teach them all they needed to learn.

Mrs. Dyke also acknowledged what I have been thinking for a long time: “Urban curricula do not make sense in a rural setting.” Yes, there should be some uniformity in the way Nova Scotia students are assessed. However, that does not mean that all students should learn the same materials. Curricula should be relevant to students’ daily realities.



 

"Bedroom Community"









 

Schools do not receive the same funding
Students learning is affected



This workshop was quite intriguing. I did not know the full meaning of Social Capital prior to today. Based on the information presented during the workshop, I can safely say that social capital equates to the social interactions ones has with others. The more interactions and connections one has the higher his/her social capital. Student's successes and failures are closely connected to their access to outside resources (social capital). Many students and parents do not know where to go and who to talk to in times of need. They have a limited social capital. This could be influenced by their cultural values, language, income and gender – just to name a few. Mr. Ouellette’s presentation made me realize that many students are at a deficit because they cannot access the same resources so many others can. To be successful in schools is so complicated! There are so many factors that can disconnect students, parents, and school communities. I am glad that I have so many people I can rely on or contact when I need added support. Wish it was the same for many of my students and their families.



Workshop: Schooling and Social Capital

Presenter: Mike Ouellette