From: PLS - website http://www.forabettercommunity.org
Understanding the interrelated issues of personal and community development is both a challenge and key to cost effective public education.
I
believe we as a community can better utilize the wealth of resources
residing in the hearts, minds and abilities of people who live and work
in New Berlin.
Money is not the primary motivator of successful educators. Whether they be parents, teachers or
life's volunteer mentors, all appreciate inspiring and being inspired by
children's natural desire to learn.
Responsible educational communities provide safe learning environments for children to play in and explore challenges requiring life skill development.
Through engaging story telling, creative imaginations are exercised, enjoyment of recreational reading increases and ability for self guided visualization develops.
My personal experience teaching strategies for "computer-less" problem solving, has been that, mental imaging skills and balanced nutrition support logical analysis, systematic formulation and sustained cognitive calculations. Feed kids fresh food!
I also believe that students developing confidence in their ability to learn are best facilitated by coordinated parent, teacher, and peer team strategies that build upon individual strengths while encouraging synergy of diverse classroom interests.
Toward
this goal I have met individually with principals and district
administrator teams, during prior school board campaigns, to emphasize
the importance of developing accountability and measurable goal
components of "parent connect".
We must fully utilize the school districts recently purchased software "Infinite Campus". Give students credit for creating websites and projects that provide logical solutions for issues of student, parent and community concern.
Community volunteer programs could mentor service learning opportunities that honor and develop youths special gifts and talents.
Pragmatic life skills, home economics and holistically healthy consumer education, with community support, could augment core curriculum requirements.
Networking educational system teams is the most cost effective way to ensure comprehensive awareness of methods and opportunities to improve students ability for living successful and meaningful lives.
By working together and learning from each other, we can build a better public education system while lowering the cost. - pls
