Who Supported You Growing Up?

In his most recent Is It Good for the Kids? column, ASCD Executive Director Gene R. Carter invites you to think about the people who had a positive influence on your life growing up and asks: "Could you influence a child, teenager, or young adult in the same way?" 

Carter emphasizes that the whole community is responsible for creating a supportive environment for learning. He says:

To support students, educators need to work with community members, including business partners, health and social service providers, art professionals, recreation leaders, and policymakers at all levels. Partnerships between schools and communities must recognize that learning does not stop after the last class and that not everything learned can be tested. Often, true learning opportunities occur through meaningful experiences outside of the classroom that allow students to practice the skills, knowledge, and behaviors required for participation in society.

The mentoring program at Parklawn Elementary School in Fairfax County, Va., which he highlights in the article, illustrates why support matters and why more students could benefit from similar programs. Carter calls on schools and communities, as well as states and the federal government, to do more to ensure that all children receive the support they need to meet the demands of the world ahead.

We'd like to know about the people (teachers, mentors, coaches, community members) who made a difference in your life growing up. How did they influence who you are today? How can their actions serve as an example for supporting the whole child? Please share your comments.

Are you ready to do more? You can raise awareness about the importance of supporting the whole child by encouraging your school board and local government to pass a whole child resolution. You can also join ASCD Educator Advocates in speaking out to ensure that education policy supports what is best for students.

Comments

[bainbridge island flowers]

come to think of it, i dont think i can remember a time where my parents ever gave me a push to do anything, they've always seem to allow me to do things. which can be quite confusing now that i can look back at it.

[deborah kneeland]

Mr Carter's article is wonderful and inspiring. We, as the Village Leaders, need to make time for comprehnsive work at what our children need, want and deserve. We all need to connect to and embrace the community support systems for children and families. It is time that us village folk put aside our egos and build effective collaborations that place Children First On The Agenda. Public/private community partnerships need to further emerge in better connected ways that support services for youth whether exisitng within the school walls or in outside facilities. The best partnerships thrive when a sense of equality and contribution exists for both the schools and community organizations.

[Donald Martin]

While I will agree that other people can be an influence in a child's life, I think we need to stop calling for a bunch of outsiders to do the job the parent was meant to do. When I think about staying after school to help a student I have to ask, "who's working with my child?" If a parent wants me to be there for their child I believe the going rate should be about
$35.00 to $50.00 per hour. Parents need to make their own child their priority, and stop looking for someone else to do more for their child.

[Cindy Buss]

"Readers are Leaders" and "Operation Occupation" were two programs developed by a private school in Nashville to involve the students with the community and vice versa. "Readers are Leaders" gave community leaders a chance to visit classrooms and read to the strudents from books that paralleled their careers. Not only were the students introduced to some interesting people, but the "readers" were also able to get to know the needs and concerns of the students through their questions and comments. In "Operation Occupation," a variety of business people were invited to share their knowledge and expertise in their fields through a hands-on career fair. Both of these programs provided opportunites for the community to interact with and become more cognizant of tomorrow's leaders.

[Vanessa Lynch]

I agree that parents have to take more responsibility, but someone has to step up if they do not. As a parent, I try to help my kids with homework, take them to school functions and have quality time with them. As a teacher, I also try to create a building time to help with my students that does not intefere with the raising of my own. When my students stay after school, I find it a time to talk with parents and share some things with them. I hope by doing this, I will put some willingness to take more interest in their child.

[Hawkins]

I too believe that parents need to take more responsibility for their children, but they need more support than just from their family. Not all parents may have the resources to provide the best learning opportunity for thier children. That is where we the teachers and community need to step in. It doesn't have to be a very time consuming activity. Instead just something basic that may stimulate the student to strive to be better at something.