As part of my Professional Development Studies (PDS) II, or Primary II placement with an area elementary school, I had to designed an “Advocacy Project” benefiting the school.
As part of my Professional Development Studies (PDS) II, or Primary II placement with an area elementary school, I had to designed an “Advocacy Project” benefiting the school.
I proposed a “SnackRaiser” for the kids, after observing my mentor teacher several times buying snack for the kids. If you did not know, teachers spend their own money furnishing their classrooms, and feeding their students. They do not want other kids, who do not bring snack from home, sitting around, watching their peers eat snack. Not every parent can afford to buy a snack, or remembers to pack one.
In collaboration with another PDS II student at the same school, my mentor teacher, and field liaison coordinator, we agreed on the “SnackRaiser.” We went about collecting snacks from area grocery stores, within our college campus, and personal contacts. My colleague secured a HUGE, I mean HUUUUGE! contribution from the company that provides dinning services on our college campus.
Of course, I had to recruit my son, who is the “fundraising guru!” He wrote to his Boy Scouts Patrol, and his school (Ps. My son goes to a private school, so we were not taking donations from other public school kids:-). He came through, his school and Scouting community came through!
Lesson learned: 1) Kids are a resource to enrich our own learning, and advocacy initiatives. Even our own children, who are still under our wings have so many abilities that we can highlight by engaging them in community service. 2) Kids in school have needs beyond academic learning, and socializing. Their nutritional and health needs should always be taken into consideration, in promoting their psychosocial and cognitive well-being. 3) One does not have to be a parent to be attuned to the needs of children. My teacher’s care and concern for her students goes beyond imparting academic knowledge. Although not a mother herself, she is absolutely attuned to her students needs and comfort!
When Kids Teach 