Part 1: Narrative About Latinx Caregivers
Due: Date & Time
Points: None or #Points
Assignments:
Dr. Joyce L Epstein has written extensively about the partnerships that must exist between family, school, and community in order to arrive at the best outcomes for children’s academic success. This model illustrates the importance of overlapping spheres of influence, which center the child/student in the middle. Each sphere has boundaries that can be separated or pulled together to share influence, depending on the practices of the ‘actors’ in family, school or community spheres and their interpersonal interactions. The outcomes of the child improve when there is a balance in collaboration among the overlapping spheres. Epstein refers to children as the “main actors” in this process.
{INSERT EPSTEINS MODEL HERE}
Let’s begin our course journey by reflecting on the influences, barriers and strengths of the community of Latinx caregivers, especially those who are predominantly Spanish-speakers and maybe new to building a life for their families in the United States. Let’s consider your role in helping those caregivers navigate a cross-sector of systems and issues that impact their engagement as partners in their child’s learning.
Click on the NOTES to respond to the following questions:
Reflection Notes
- Imagine a parent of a young child in your community. Draw your own Sphere of Influence diagram, except this time place this parent in the center of the spheres: School, Community, and Family. Imagine what attitudes and practices influence this parents in their role as their child’s first teacher. This is a sketch, so there are no right or wrong answers.
- Family Engagement Goals & Your Role: What goal(s) do you have regarding family engagement at your school/community organization? What does family engagement look like among your Spanish-speaking parents/caregiver? What does success look like? What is your influence in this initiative to engage parents?
- Current Narrative About Latinx Caregivers: What is the narrative regarding Latinx family engagement that your families are facing? What barriers do Spanish-speaking caregivers in your community face? What gets in the way of participation? What have they responded positively to?
- Home Culture: What is your understanding of the home culture of caregivers in your community and their literacy levels in Spanish? What are they good at?
Due: Date & Time Points: None or #Points
Assignments:
Dr. Joyce L Epstein has written extensively about the partnerships that must exist between family, school, and community in order to arrive at the best outcomes for children’s academic success. This model illustrates the importance of overlapping spheres of influence, which center the child/student in the middle. Each sphere has boundaries that can be separated or pulled together to share influence, depending on the practices of the ‘actors’ in family, school or community spheres and their interpersonal interactions. The outcomes of the child improve when there is a balance in collaboration among the overlapping spheres. Epstein refers to children as the “main actors” in this process.
[insert Epstein’s model here]
Let’s begin our course journey by reflecting on the influences, barriers and strengths of the community of Latinx caregivers, especially those who are predominantly Spanish-speakers and maybe new to building a life for their families in the United States. Let’s consider your role in helping those caregivers navigate a cross-sector of systems and issues that impact their engagement as partners in their child’s learning.
Click on the NOTES to respond to the following questions:
Reflection Notes
- Imagine a parent of a young child in your community. Draw your own Sphere of Influence diagram, except this time place this parent in the center of the spheres: School, Community, and Family. Imagine what attitudes and practices influence this parents in their role as their child’s first teacher. This is a sketch, so there are no right or wrong answers.
- Family Engagement Goals & Your Role: What goal(s) do you have regarding family engagement at your school/community organization? What does family engagement look like among your Spanish-speaking parents/caregiver? What does success look like? What is your influence in this initiative to engage parents?
- Current Narrative About Latinx Caregivers: What is the narrative regarding Latinx family engagement that your families are facing? What barriers do Spanish-speaking caregivers in your community face? What gets in the way of participation? What have they responded positively to?
- Home Culture: What is your understanding of the home culture of caregivers in your community and their literacy levels in Spanish? What are they good at?