OneWorld Invites Parents & Teachers To Collaborate
Parents and Teachers Collaborate on OneWorld Education Program Oct. 29, 2009
Marc Palmieri, retired principal and OneWorld board member, hosted the program. Visitors can read the article and viewers comments at this link: Teachers Teach The New Math—To Parents
It is difficult –if not impossible– to quantify the total benefits of the television programs presented by OneWorld Progressive Institute, Inc., nor do we know who exactly are the most significant beneficiaries. However, we know from the feedback we get that there are several beneficiaries and that pleases us. We do find it more than a little curious that many of the parents and teachers who have called us on the phone to provide comments in response to this specific TV program (with parents and teachers), or to the article would not post those comments to this web site, and many did not want to identify themselves. Because we are dealing with school systems rather than business organizations we find the fear factor expressed by some a little disconcerting. We are not sure why some people felt afraid to express themselves one way or another in writing. We are certainly grateful to those who have done so. Of all the programs we have done in 2009, and that have been covered by the NHI, this and the program on Women’s Health (Tips on Healthy Aging) have had the largest number of community responses. You can read that article at this link: Tips Given For Healthy Aging
We greatly appreciate hearing from those who have called, asked questions, shared experiences and provided additional information and insights that might help us to produce more effective programs. This is among our main objectives, along with engaging the community so that the programs we produce will have positive effects on large numbers of people. We agree one hundred percent with the comments posted by retired principal, Lisette Bernier-McGowan. “Although it is well known that family involvement increases achievement, it is also well understood that cultural diversity, differences in values, work-place and family-life demands, as well as discrepancies in expectations have often made collaboration extremely difficult. Yet, we also know that good schools are known for transforming difficulties and barriers into opportunities for creative action. Several of these creative fresh insights were revealed by the comments and anecdotes of parents and teachers during the televised program, as described by this article. Two main ideas artfully put forth by the program facilitator – retired school administrator Marc Palmieri – had the gentle power of setting the mood by reminding the panel that they (parents and educators alike) are dual partners, mutually responsible and equally entrusted to the most important task of preparing the Nation’s children for successful and productive adult lives.
Opening the gates to useful ideas and practical suggestions were these two thoughts: “the parent is the first teacher”, and “education occurs both in the classroom and beyond the classroom walls”. These statements placed parents in their legitimate role as key members of the school community, whose expectations, skills, strengths and efforts are essential to their children’s school success.
It is important to celebrate and disperse the seeds of success throughout – from wherever they are found to wherever they are needed – so that not only a few but all schools can offer programs of excellence.
We encourage viewers to watch “21st Century Conversations” on Comcast—CTV– Channel 26 every Tuesday at 7-8PM. Starting in Feb. 2010 we will present our middle school oratory competition between students from four school districts. DVD copies of all of our programs are available through our web site. Viewers can visit our site to place orders; they can also pay easily using PayPal on the site.
Lastly, we encourage viewers and site visitors to send us comments about any of our programs. We welcome feedback and suggestions for future programs. Our goals are to keep the broader community informed about health literacy, education at every level, and to encourage positive civic engagement.