Praise for Parent Voice
Parents often struggle to find the right way to use their own voice in supporting, nurturing, and advocating for their children at home and at school. This book provides important wisdom from experienced educators that incorporates deep knowledge of children’s needs and development to help parents listen to their children, learn from them, and lead them toward becoming self-reliant adults.
—Gerald Aungst, K–4 Gifted Teacher Cheltenham Elementary School Cheltenham, PA
Parent Voice opens up a good dialogue between parents and educators that can facilitate better communication.
—Leslie Standerfer, High School Principal Estrella Foothills High School Goodyear, AZ
Parent Voice describes how to handle difficult situations with the “Listen, Learn, Lead” structure, and also offers solutions to prevent them in the first place. This book teaches parents how to use their voices in effective ways and how to give their children voice.
—Karen L. Tichy, EdD, Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership Saint Louis University St. Louis, MO
Dedication
Whether they realize it or not, our children gave us the inspiration and courage to write this book. Lauren, Casey, Chelsea, Cali, Adlee, Andrew, and Brayden—always know that you not only have our hearts but also our ears. We listen to and learn from your voices every day! (And no, this does not mean you’ll be receiving a percentage of the royalties!)
Parent Voice
Being in Tune With Your Kids and Their School
Russell J. Quaglia
Kristine Fox
Deborah Young
FOR INFORMATION:
Corwin
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Copyright © 2018 by Corwin
All rights reserved. When forms and sample documents are included, their use is authorized only by educators, local school sites, and/or noncommercial or nonprofit entities that have purchased the book. Except for that usage, no part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
All trademarks depicted within this book, including trademarks appearing as part of a screenshot, figure, or other image, are included solely for the purpose of illustration and are the property of their respective holders. The use of the trademarks in no way indicates any relationship with, or endorsement by, the holders of said trademarks.
Printed in the United States of America
ISBN: 978-1-5063-6010-2
This book is printed on acid-free paper.
Publisher: Arnis Burvikovs
Senior Developmental Editor: Desirée A. Bartlett
Editorial Assistant: Kaitlyn Irwin
Production Editor: Amy Schroller
Copy Editor: Jocelyn Rau
Typesetter: C&M Digitals (P) Ltd.
Proofreader: Laura Webb
Indexer: Maria Sosnowski
Cover Designer: Candice Harman
Marketing Manager: Nicole Franks
Contents
4 Introduction: Be the Parent You Want to Be . . . and the Parent Your Children Deserve!
5 1. Noise or Voice?The New LanguageThe Responsibility of VoiceMom’s Musings on VoiceDad’s Deliberations on VoiceTuning Into Your Own VoiceNow Hear This!
6 2. Listen: Hearing the Right NotesListening MattersKeys to Effective ListeningMom’s Musings on ListeningDad’s Deliberations on ListeningListening: Take ActionListening Through the YearsIn Their Own Words: Advice on Listening, From Children to ParentsListening for Life
7 3. Learn: Getting in RhythmLearning MattersMindful LearningLearning and InterestsSpeaking Their LanguageShared AdventuresKeys to Sincere LearningMom’s Musings on LearningDad’s Deliberations on LearningLearning: Take ActionLearning Through the YearsOur Learning From Parents and ChildrenNever Stop Learning
8 4. Lead: Working in Harmony With Your Child and SchoolLeading MattersDigging DeeperDeveloping PartnershipsShared GoalsKeys to Leading SuccessfullyProactive Voice at SchoolMom’s Musings on LeadingDad’s Deliberations on LeadingLeading: Take ActionLeading Through the YearsOur Learning About LeadingWe Are All in This Together
9 5. Staying in Tune With Your Child and SchoolAccept and Respect the Fact That Your Children Have Different Perspectives Than YouParents Need and Deserve a Meaningful Role in SchoolParenting Should Be a Priority, All the TimeBe IntentionalBe Yourself
10 Index
Acknowledgments
Corwin gratefully acknowledges the contributions of the following reviewers:
Gerald Aungst, K-4 Gifted TeacherCheltenham Elementary SchoolCheltenham, PA
Marsha L. Carr, Associate Professor/Ed Leadership and Doctorate Coordinator for EdAdminUniversity of North Carolina WilmingtonWilmington, NC