Friday, March 25, 2011

What Good Parents (and Grandparents) Do For Their Children...

It seems that as the more years I work in education, the more encounters that I have with parents (and guardians) that really know how to take care of their loved ones, and parents (and guardians) who.....may need a little more assistance.

Today was probably a day that I will not forget anytime soon. I spend the majority of   my time consulting with parents, teachers, and students on how to manage their "schoolwork-life" balance. During these meetings, we  discuss topics ranging from Academic Preparation, Individualized Education Plans, Related Services, Dyslexia Consultation and Study Skills. For the most part, my goal for consulting with an individual is to make sure that they walk away from the meeting gaining something that they did not have prior to the meeting. Somehow, today was a little different.

I have a wonderful grandparent that has taken such great care of her grandson. Despite the fact that the parenting situation may not be "traditional", she still acts with such fervence and enthusiasm as it pertains to her grandson's education. I deeply admire her for really taking the time to raise him and it made me think of other grandparents who really dote on their grandchildren. Lucky kids!

Back to my story, this grandma has really taken the unselfish task of helping her own. I know that she has tried to work with the school to find resources to help him in his academic studies and has also been in constant communication with his teachers to make sure that he is set up for success. Many obstacles have come her way and many breakthroughs have occurred as well. After meeting with countless administrators and teachers, time can only tell until she would meet with a teacher that could really listen to what she was saying.

As she called on me to help her advocate for services that her grandson needed, I quickly thought of my own family and how difficult it must be for my oldest brother to raise my niece who is quadriplegic. When I was finding the right resources to help her, I noticed that it started to become more and more complicated. I then had to remind myself, "How would you want someone to treat your family if they were asking for help?". Perhaps it is the perpetual question that I ask myself when I feel the situation being a little more than I can handle. Dealing with difficult situations is really difficult - but the rewards can never be taken away.

In the end, I feel that the grandparent was somewhat pleased with the result of the meeting. In our debriefing, she said something that really made me think about why she really cares so much. Her words were, "I'm getting old; I don't have too much time. I just want him to be okay when I am gone - that's it.". After hearing something like that - it's hard not too forget why we are all here.

If you are in the Atlanta/Marietta/Kennesaw/Vinings/Sandy Springs/Buckhead area (Cobb County, Fulton County, Dekalb County, Cherokee County) and have any questions about the CRCT, SSAT, SAT, GED, Summer Tutoring, Orton-Gillingham, Handwriting Without Tears, Writing Strategies, or any methodologies or instructional methods that may help your child succeed, please contact me at  christine@learningridge.com or visit my website at http://www.learningridge.com/.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

What I have done.... (A confessional)

Many times I reminisce about the students and parents that I have worked with. It has been nothing but great memories that I have had throughout the years.Sometimes I have to look back and smile knowing that these individuals have shared this time and space with me.

1. Bringing treats to sessions

One of my favorite students (who attended one of the high schools in Cobb County) would always complain about being so hungry during the tutoring sessions, it was almost comical. I called him the "hangry boy" because he was hungry and angry at the same time.

After a few weeks, I asked the mom if I could bring him some french fries that he could snack on while tutoring. He was never in a bad mood when I came through his door with a bag of fries and always aced the tests that we would study for!

2. Playing hide and seek

My students (some of them are younger and are in elementary school) need a break from learning the 20+ skills that I am drilling them during our scheduled session. Once a month, I would reward one of my students by having him play a game of "Hide and Go Seek" around his house. I've never held my breath for so long playing with an eight-year old and hiding in a storage room.....

3. Tearing Up When a Student Reaches An Important Milestone

It's that "ah-hah" moment that cannot be bought, sold, or auctioned. When I meet with some of my students that are struggling with a certain concept, I can never seem to figure out the exact "time" when they will be able to master that essential concept. After using the Orton-Gillingham Method to teach reading and phonics, I give myself a few months to see if they have made progress. Sometimes, in as little as a few weeks I notice that my students have made significant progress and I am left speechless - with tears welled up in my eyes as I listen to them read, decode, sound things out, etc. I also feel a sense of gratitude when parents share these moments with me and we know that we have made a difference.

4. Being Treated Like a Guest, and Not an Educational Service Provider

I have a portfolio of clients that any tutor would envy - but one of the clients that will always have my heart is the one that treated me like a guest each and every time I came through their door. They were the nicest and most genuine family that I have ever met and no matter what day, what hour, whatever they were doing, they would honor me and what I did for their children by serving me a cup of coffee and giving me a nice snack (each and everytime) I was there for their children. They were not just clients - they were good people!

5. Stealing Hugs and Kisses From Younger Children

I have a fondness for kids. No matter where I go - be it Chik-Fil-A, Target, or Office Depot, little kids will gravitate towards me because they either smell "teacher, will you teach me something" or they can feel the warmth of affection that I am dying to shower upon them. It makes me feel so connected when parents ask what I do to cause this magnetic pull of three-feet younsters!

Some of the families that I work with have younger, smaller children. There is no better feeling in the world than to be able to hug a little one that can barely reach you. I really enjoy working with my families and love to be paid in lots of hugs and kisses on the cheek!

Thank you so much for allowing me to share my "Best Of" moments!

If you are in the Atlanta/Marietta/Kennesaw/Vinings/Sandy Springs/Buckhead area (Cobb County, Fulton County, Dekalb County, Cherokee County) and have any questions about the JATP, CRCT, SSAT, SAT, GED, Summer Tutoring, Orton-Gillingham, Singapore Math, Handwriting Without Tears, Writing Strategies, Brain Gym or any methodologies or instructional methods that may help your child succeed, please contact me at christine@learningridge.com or visit my website at http://www.learningridge.com//. If you need immediate assistance, you can call me at 404-964-8533.


Monday, March 14, 2011

Parent Personalities and Behaviors Influencing Student Success...

As a provider of educational services, I have always wondered if there is a correlation between the personality of a parent and the success of a student. I ask this because of my exposure to some really dynamic personalities that my parents have and how that positively affects their student and conversely, their student's success at school. Here is what I have discovered:

5 SUCCESSFUL PARENT PERSONALITY TRAITS AND BEHAVIORS

1. Positive Influential Behaviors

When your child observes you, they will pick up on subtle clues that will tell them what your expectations are. It is very important to have clear and realistic expectations of what your child can (and cannot) accomplish. If you appear to be too lax or too hyperfixated on a certain aspect of their development, they may become confused by the messages that you are sending.

Behavior is something that can be modified - and make sure that your child is aware of what you know they can do. However, do not overdo it (or "under do" it). They may have anxiety over what you ask them to do later on in life.

2. "Consistent/Routine" Parents

A parental behavior that I admire  most is "consistency". Some parents keep schedules of what their student needs to do when they come home from school and what the tasks are for the week. Another parent  allows her student a certain amount of "free time" right when he comes home from school. It gives them a certain sense of freedom and their frustration levels go down when they know what is being expected of them.

Always set a plan in action for what your student needs to do and follow through on it. Try to not punish them if you are not giving your child your undivided attention. Chances are, they will reciprocate and give you their undivided attention when you are doing the same thing.

3. Proactive (Not Reactive) Parents

I have worked with many, many, many parents and this trait actually influences whether your student is able to work well in his environment or experience some sort of difficulty. Let's face it, there are times during your student's academic career where you will need to communicate with their teachers or administrators. It is very important to communicate your needs in a respectful, concise manner so that the school will be more than willing to work with you.

One of the greatest parents that I currently work with has an amazing manner in which she is able to express her ideas in an email. She asked the headmaster of the school to look into a certain policy that would not be great for her situation. As a result - the headmaster of the school was able to dismiss the policy for her and the student. I never thought that these things would happen - but then again, you can only attract sweetness with honey, not vinegar! Amazing!

I have also had another parent that I have worked with in the past that had such a great relationship with her child's teacher that she would send her emails of any homework or behavior issues that he had at school within the hour. What a wonderful notion as a parent to be updated on the progress of your child as it is happening.

As an experienced teacher, it is always a wonderful thing to know that parents are willing to listen to you and value your time and diligence in helping your child. Parents that acknowledge that seem to receive more of the attention than those who are more argumentative and combative. I mean, you can catch more bees with honey than vinegar, right?

4. Respectful Parents

This may seem like an idea that did not exist in some people's families - but there are some parents out there that respect their children. When their children speak, they listen; when their children say that something is too difficulty - they find solutions to help them; when their child needs to take a break from doing two hours of homework in kindergarten - they give them a big hug and say "play in the backyard until the sun comes down".

Parents need to respect their children for the individuals that they are. It is very important for your children to know that what they are saying is important and that you value them as a person - not a child. Make it a point to not just "hear" what your son or daughter is saying, but "listen" as well.

5. Being There For Your Child

In many of the families that I work with, there are different schedules that the families have. It is so important that there is (almost) always one parent that is there with the child at all times. From a child-rearing point of view, children need to be given the freedom to have structured time and free time, however knowing that your parents are there for you will help them develop into fully actualized individuals. Give your child some scheduled time (perhaps one hour a week) where you do nothing but talk and discuss what is going on in their life. This will create a more healthy upbringing for the child as they know that mom and dad always had a planned "date" where they spent time with you.

If you are in the Atlanta/Marietta/Kennesaw/Vinings/Sandy Springs/Buckhead area (Cobb County, Fulton County, Dekalb County, Cherokee County) and have any questions about the JATP, CRCT, SSAT, SAT, GED, Summer Tutoring, Orton-Gillingham, Singapore Math, Handwriting Without Tears, Writing Strategies, Brain Gym or any methodologies or instructional methods that may help your child succeed, please contact me at christine@learningridge.com or visit my website at http://www.learningridge.com//. If you need immediate assistance, you can call me at 404-964-8533.



Friday, March 4, 2011

Recent article describing problems that intelligent girls have..

Bright Girls Web Link

As a society, what can we do about this problem that young girls go through? I read through this article and was surprised by the majority of what was said. I hope that we will continue to encourage young girls to pursue their dreams as much as we encourage our young boys.

If you are in the Atlanta/Marietta/Kennesaw/Vinings/Sandy Springs/Buckhead area (Cobb County, Fulton County, Dekalb County, Cherokee County, Gwinnett) and have any questions about the JATP, CRCT, SSAT, SAT, GED, Summer Tutoring, Orton-Gillingham, Singapore Math, Handwriting Without Tears, Writing Strategies, Brain Gym or any methodologies or instructional methods that may help your child succeed, please contact me at christine@learningridge.com or visit my website at http://www.learningridge.com//. If you need immediate assistance, you can call me at 404-964-8533.