I was very interested in the Watch Dogs program at Walker Creek, and I asked about it at PTA on a couple of occasions. I am pleased that staff members have brought it up recently and I hope I adequately explained why we don't currently have the program. I think most would agree, generally speaking, that moms dominate the parent volunteer ranks, and we need to find ways to attract our dads, grandpas, and male role models to be part of the Walker Creek experience. Research, observation, and common sense all say that involvement from the men in our scholars' lives is a good thing. How would you structure a dads group at Walker Creek. What things need to be in place, and what direction would you like to see this go? Saturday, January 28, 2012
Dads and Male Role Models
I was very interested in the Watch Dogs program at Walker Creek, and I asked about it at PTA on a couple of occasions. I am pleased that staff members have brought it up recently and I hope I adequately explained why we don't currently have the program. I think most would agree, generally speaking, that moms dominate the parent volunteer ranks, and we need to find ways to attract our dads, grandpas, and male role models to be part of the Walker Creek experience. Research, observation, and common sense all say that involvement from the men in our scholars' lives is a good thing. How would you structure a dads group at Walker Creek. What things need to be in place, and what direction would you like to see this go? 
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
10 comments:
Walker Creek had the Watch Dog program during the 2009-10 and 2010-11 school years. The children were always excited to see the Dogs on campus, even asking for autographs. The Dogs seemed to enjoy interacting with the children. I believe it is important to get the fathers, grandfathers, and male role models involved in the school. For some children this may be one of the only positive interaction they may have. One of the areas of concern was that some of the Watch Dog did not always follow their schedules. When asked to stay in the cafeteria during lunch time and interact with the students, they would often follow their own child back to class and hang out. Some Watch Dogs would be silly with the students instead of working with them. I think for the program to be successful, the Watch Dogs would need to go through a training session. The first year, the men came to an evening with their children and were engaged in some activities. After that they signed up. I do not believe there was an actual training session.
I agree that a short training, signature and background check are necessary for our Dad's and Grandpa's to understand that when they are here they are part of our "rigorous" routine :)Every single scholar, sweet and not so sweet, deserves good male role models.
This is a great opportunity to say how very fortunate we are at WCE to have wonderful male role models in our own male teachers. We also have great men like Amy Harley's dad who is so patient and kind with her class. He also helps in many other ways as well. Not to mention our fearless leader who is no slouchy Dad himself :) I hope we do reinstate the Watch Dogs- from what I have seen these men are as enriched as our scholars.
Lynn and I have a retired gentleman, John Bell, who volunteers every Tuesday morning. He has told us numerous times that we will never know how much the opportunity to work with our scholars has enriched his life. He says it is the highlight of his week. I know my scholars look forward to his visits. Last week as I was testing in the common area I heard to him work with each child. I was amazed by the conversation he had with the children as he checked for understanding. With the Watch Dog program, this type of interaction could occur more often among our scholars and male role models.
Mary, I agree with the men on our campus being positive role models. My scholars get excited every time Mr. Gregory walks in the room or down in the hallway.
Check out this video that celebrates dads in a funny way, it's called COTM Dad Life. You can also access it on my YouTube Channel. You can access my YouTube channel from the blog by clicking on The Principal's Office.
http://www.youtube.com/user/scottgregory903#p/f/13/fZa7hU6tP_s
I thought the fellas coming in were a great idea and usually having an extra helper is a great idea. They must understand teaching is about flexibility and not always predictability. Being on a task and being somewhat self driven is a great quality but also knowing we have certain things we must do to ensure scholar success. I think the guys who come in have so many things they can offer our scholars and sometimes we do not tap into their strengths. Maybe a questionaire not to exclude but to know a bit about them and along with our curriculum they could talk to the scholars about their work or passions as well because that is the greatest learning.
Scott, the Dad Life video says it all! The world is a better place with dad's like these guys...even the sock and sandal wearing guy! What a hoot. I have some family members who will get a laugh out of it!
Great idea, Joseph, concerning the questionnaire. It would be a good idea for any volunteer actually.
My school year has been such a blurr and moving so fast that I never stopped to realized our "Watch Dogs" were not here this year. Last year none of my dads were able to volunteer, but a former student's dad came to my classroom to read with students or help them learn their spelling words. I really do miss them this year! Maybe we can start again by sending a a "letter of interest" as a feeler for who might be interested.
I agree that we should tap into the strengths of the dads. It will make them more comfortable with our scholars if it is one of their passions that they are sharing. The Watch Dogs were great, but I think that they might not have been utilized to the fullest. I had some dads read with the scholars, and some of them helped with work or a project. A training session would be beneficial for all involved to make sure that the time spent here is quality time.
My interest in Watch Dogs is personal as well as professional. My daddy retired as an engineer and became a professional Pappaw to his eight grandchildren and countless others when the youngest grandchild started kindergarten.
(Rachel is now at Louisiana Tech, her Pappaw's alma mater, studying biomedical engineering.) For almost twelve years, my dad volunteered at Rachel's school, reading and tutoring. John Bell is not even a "pappaw" but encourages each scholar he works with immensely. One of my favorite WCE WatchDog moments occurred last year when Todd Lacey visited. Not only did Logan get to realize his dream as a sportscaster by interviewing his dad, but one scholar desperate for positive role modeling was able to play football with Todd at recess!
I like all of the ideas presented already--I do know scheduling seems to be the biggest hurdle.
The Watch Dog program was a great program. I know that I had students who needed that male role model in their lives and this was a great way to provide that for them. They worked with small groups either on work they were struggling with or even just to play a little football or something with them outside at recess. The kids seemed to really enjoy that. I have also experienced a program using our high school football players. The kids really enjoyed Fridays when they came over to spend some time with the kids.
Post a Comment