1. The Set Up
The set up stage of TEAM requires
conscientious planning with sensitivity to the needs, desires, and expectations
of parents and students. One primary consideration is to provide varied
accommodations for parents to make it possible for them to start to feel
welcome in the school community.
A. TEAM Teacher Recruitment – it is important to enlist other teachers to join
the support team. When teachers initiate additional support systems for parents
and students and take an active role in their lives the result is increased
parental involvement. In order to recruit the participation of other dedicated teachers
- Send flyers out requesting teachers who are
interested in supporting parents
- Create a TEAM responsibility sheet that addresses the
areas of expertise of all teacher members (see sample sheet – ID
Expertise)
B. TEAM Motivational Perks -
Incentives or motivational perks
are important and play a strategic role in the continuation of TEAM. Therefore
they should be monitored and periodically re-evaluated and updated to hold the
interest of all TEAM members.
Examples:
- Parents – babysitting services provided, dinner
served for the family, all family members are encouraged to come to the
meetings (brothers, sisters, etc.)
- Teachers - professional development hours, free days,
stipends, teacher suggestions
- Students – extra credit for attending meeting with
parent, credit for empowering a parent to attend a meeting, credit for
completing all assignments connected to the meeting whether on or off site
C. Community Involvement in TEAM can come from numerous places depending on what a
particular community has to offer. TEAM members should periodically evaluate
community assets and establish ways students can give back to the community.
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