Collaboration & Communication with those that work with and teach my daughter is a major plus for her education if there is honest open communication on a regular basis.

To be able to have face-to-face conversations is even better but when that isn't possible because of being a bus rider, then phone calls (yeah right...not happening) and emails are the next best thing to everyone being able to communicate on a regular basis.

I find it odd that some teachers will have no problem being real and communicating with me where other teachers are so not going to allow any type of just simple conversations on a regular basis, no matter by email or picking up the phone and having a quick conversation. Seems to be this unspoken rule or fear of working with parents want to be involved in their Child's education by daily, weekly, monthly collaboration & communication home. It places such a strain & a feel of tension on both the teachers and parents when being friendly is all it really takes to be able work together as a team for the success of their student and my Child.

Why is it this way? Why are some teachers more willing to provide open, friendly, honest, free-flowing, easy going conversations on a regular basis. We hear the buzz words of PARENT INVOLVEMENT, but what does that really mean to a teacher today? What does it mean to parents?

I know I am not the only parent that has a Child with Special Learning Needs attending our Public School System that feels this way. I hear and work with many parents that tell me this on a daily basis. Parents only want to know what is happening in the classroom, our Children can't always communicate what they really did during school. It is imperative that parents and teachers talk on a regular basis, especially if the Child has a disability that impairs their Speech and Language abilities.

Working together with parents that want to help and be involved should be embraced not feared or ignored. Parents after all are the Child's life time teacher and know the Child best! We always hear people say, "Parents you are your Child's first teachers"...if people really believe that, than why are many teachers not wanting to work the parents that want to help them teach our Children. There needs to be a new attitude going on with teachers towards parents that just want to be helpful. Teachers, let your guard down and open up to parents that are concerned for their Child's education. We talk of parent involvement, it needs to start with teachers being willing to be more receptive to parent help. Parents are not out to tell teachers how to do their jobs as some teachers may believe, that is a misconception, but the parents do know how their Child and what makes them tick.

Where do you fit in with all of this? Are you a parent or a teacher....how do see yourself in the way you communicate between school and home. Do you need to maybe be a little more honest with how you work together or does it all not really matter to you? Parents, do you need to take a more active roll in helping your Child's education, do you put it all on the teachers to 'teach'? Teachers, are you open to the suggestions of what parents may have? Do you not really care what parents want? Are you providing a regular way to have communication with your students parents, especially those students with extra learning challenges? Do the right thing and start now being more open to suggestions and regular communication and working together, collaborating on things that will help ALL students be more successful in school and with their academic progress.

"The only thing that is constant is change - Let it start with me"

Feb.20, 2010

Our Annual PODS Angels Holiday Party for 2009 was held in Cape Coral, Florida was a beautiful party with Santa and Mrs. Clause and with a happy Elf that helped hand out gifts for all who attended! Food and music was great, everyone had a fun time! Looking forward to next years party!

Please email podsangels@bellsouth.net for more information on next years party! Volunteer and get involved to help make this event a beautiful event for everyone! The families and the children look forward to this event every year.

Thank you to all that helped make this event what it is!

Nancy Harris

PODS Angels Support

www.podsangels.org

PODS Angels HOLIDAY PARTY 2008 was a complete success at the Cape Coral Yacht Club in Cape Coral, Florida on December 19th, 2008.

Thank you Mary for doing all you do for ALL of us! The place looked absolutely magical with the centerpieces that were so graciously created and put together by Tanya. THANK YOU Tanya for all your creative hard work, they really did create a magical atmosphere! Jim, thank you for offering to provide a beautiful family portrait to each family that sat in front of your professional camera lens in your new studio on wheels...I know many families really enjoyed that you provided to them as a gift a free photo session and a free 5x7 color print. Thank you Jim!

THANK YOU to all the volunteers that came out to help from the local high schools...it was a first...to have High School VOLUNTEERS and they all did such a wonderful job in the kitchen especially! THANK YOU EVERYONE!

It was fun to see how everyone reacts to SANTA and MRS. CLAUSE in front of the fireplace handing out presents that were donated by the Cape Coral Fire Department. It was great to see so many families enjoying themselves and getting to know other local families. The food was from BOB EVANS and PUBLIX and was great!

Mary has started a blog just for the Holiday Party, a place for pictures and information. This was our 2nd year at hosting a PODS Angels HOLIDAY PARTY in Cape Coral. I will post the link here to that blog so everyone will have a way to stay informed about it for next year. Volunteers are always needed ahead of the party to make it all come together for a wonderful event for everyone.

I hope to blog in here every now and again to keep this blog fun...bookmark it to your favorites and check back once in awhile to see what's new.

Nancy

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