What inspires and excites you most about your advocacy plan and being an advocate?
I am excited about my journey because I know when the ball really starts rolling in the right direction, and it will, the children will greatly benefit. Young children have a real yearning for learning and literacy is the foundation for every phase of learning and it excites me to think that I can help the children with this task but informing others about the importance of literacy development at an early age.
What challenges and/or anxieties do you feel related to engaging in the advocacy efforts you have targeted?
I am so nervous right now about my plans to persuade parents, coworker, and members of the neighboring community to join my journey of getting people in great numbers to read across America and enhance literacy for our young. Although I have researched the topic well and have a full understanding myself of the importance of reading often to young children I don't feel my followers feel the same. I am not giving up and I feel it is too late to change my audience so I have got to beef up my persuasive efforts.
What do you believe will be most effective in helping you overcome any challenging emotions you may be feeling with regard to presenting and implementing your Advocacy Action Plan?
I believe I will overcome my challenging emotions when I get at least 10 people to attend a meeting during the afterschool hours when I can really focus my attention on the plan. To date I have arranged 2 open forum meetings with a miniature agenda that addresses my advocacy plan and have had 4 teachers, 3 parents and the director to attend both meetings; the same people both times.
How can you encourage others in their advocacy efforts, and how can others encourage you?
I can encourage others in their advocacy efforts by lending a helping hand; by letting them know that I understand their struggles but that some many of our fights are worth the bumps and bruises. In the same manner others can encourage me by telling me the truth. Is this a fight worth fighting? As well as giving me some direction in which to turn if they have any and they see that I am not making any progress.
Hi Cathy
ReplyDeleteI think everything for your plans are going well. Getting people to really listen to your efforts of advocacy for literacy has to be an exciting benefit to your plan. It looks like your center is really working with you on this. I can see they really have been persuaded in your advocacy efforts. How did you come about getting them to help you plan the meeting? Having the whole staff and center there to help you has got to be an exciting feeling.
I am glad that you have had such good success in this.
Darlene Tschopp
Thanks for being so kind; however, I really is not going so well. There are 12 teachers in the building and more than 100 students, as well as two full time administrators and one part timer. I hae not even scratched the surface of getting the involvement neessary to begin the plan. I am not giving up though; got another meeting scheduled at a home daycare of a owner I know. Do you have any suggestions for me? I am open to anything at this point!
DeleteHi Cathy,
DeleteI had to invite one of the parents that I had taken care of her two children in the center a year ago. and babysat for the last couple of years. all year. My center is the same way. I am worried that we will be sitting there waiting and that it will only be the teacher, directors and I. I did this just incase so I have feed back from a parent.
Darlene Tschopp
Cathy,
ReplyDeleteI understand where you are coming from with being nervous about presenting your action plan to your audience I am in the same place right now. I too wonder if I can convince people of the need for my advocacy plan. I think that its aweful that you have had two meetings and you havent had the turn out that you were expecting and wanting. However I would like for you to sit back and think about the persons that have stayed for your meeting, have they had postive and perductive feedback for your advocacy efforts? Have they helped you become more comfortable in presenting this information? Remember it takes only one person to change the world. I would not get discouraged because I have found that just because people do not show up to something it doesnt mean they dont support the cause in their own way.
A suggestion that I have for you instead of just having a meeting try creating focus questions for the people that you want in the meeting. Once you have created the questions think about sending them home to the familes or staff asking for them back at a certain date, this way they dont have to feel obligated to be at a meeting and the people that dont have the way to a meeting could also participate.
I hope this is helpful I am intrested in seeing how your action plan works out because I agree with your efforts.
Kristina Pearson
Cathy,
ReplyDeleteI think your topic is excellent. This month coming up is reading across America and I am certain you advocate action plan will start falling into place. Think positive and don't be defeated from the lack of commitments others present. You will succeed, I say this because I can feel the commitment you have to reach your goal. In our school we are promoting reading across America which is very important for young children. I wanted to share this with you, just to let you know you are not alone. Best of luck to you. For your advocate plan collaborating with your support team is important, but what are the teachers feedback about the 2 meetings you've had? What is their advice from them? I just though I ask because I was intrigue by the support you are receiving. Good job Cathy.