| |
Return to top
1. Introducing Pat Krushen, she sees the fuller picture at
school
I discovered Pat Krushen's website "It Happened in School experiences
in education." She takes an interest in the roles of everybody
associated with school who has contact with children. The following
is excerpted from her website. An example of those she features
is in our second story below.
Student, teacher, substitute teacher, paraprofessional/ Signed
English interpreter, parent....... From these different perspectives
I have observed the workings and goings on of the school. I look
back to my years as a student with interest. I enjoyed school
life so much that I decided I wanted to spend my adult life in school.
I became an elementary teacher and special education teacher and
then I became a parent, first a working parent and then a stay-at-home
parent and the day my five year old son began school I hoped his
teachers would love him like I did. When my third baby began school,
I answered an ad in a local newspaper for a teacher aide in the
Kindergarten classroom. I was hired and so began my relationship
with a frustrated but lovable hearing impaired boy. I became his
Signed English Interpreter and followed him through his school life
until he graduated in June of 1999. This experience itself led
me to look at the school system, its values and its goals, in a
new light, while at the same time understanding the limitations
placed upon teachers and administrators.
Return to top
2. Regarding custodians
It Happened in School experiences in education This site is
of interest to * students * teachers * substitute teachers * administrators
* school paraprofessionals (teacher aides/assistants/interpreters
for the hearing impaired) * bus drivers * school custodians * parents
* and anyone else who has ever been to school or has an interest
in the school......
SCHOOL CUSTODIANS School custodians have an important role in
the school and have something to say. Many, I'm sure, feel forgotten
and are unaware that special things they have done have warmed the
hearts of many. Had it not been for the kind heart of Tommy Mitchell
forty years ago, my little hands would have frozen for sure. If
you have a story to tell ........... e-mail me with your custodian
story
pr.krushen
http://www3.sk.sympatico.ca/krushen/schoolcustodians.html
Return to top
3. Please share about a caring bus driver, aide, etc.
What story can you share with us about a caring school employee
who was helpful to you or your child ... so we can share about it
with others. For sure, please pass it on to Pat Krushen at her email
address as indicated above.
Marty Kirschen buildcare1
Return to top
4. Developing a schoolwide approach in using caring approaches
"The real key to school-wide discipline in my estimation
is the 'work before the work'. That is, done well, it usually takes
a year of committee work (say the School Committee on Social Responsibility)
thinking and planning the school-wide policy and proceedure they
want before implementing it school-wide with children and parents.
There are no quick fixes in this business despite our repeated attempts
and failures." Chip Wood, Co-founder Responsive Classroom
-
Northeast Foundation for Children
http://www.responsiveclassroom.org/
If you want to explore further how to implement caring approaches
in the classroom and school wide you can contact the Northeast Foundation
for Children. I attended several workshops given by them and the
range of areas covered included such areas as building competence
with caring in the classroom, as well as developing a schoolwide
caring based discipline policy.
Marty Kirschen
|
