"Its the little things you do make the big differences"
What is a Student Leader?
-"Someone who is responsible for everything"
-"Someone who is capable of helping with a variety of things"
Does taking the step to lead make you become a leader?
Everyone can be a leader, they can lead by examples, practising what they say. It is believed that anytime you have someone following behind you can be considered a leader.
Some ways of becoming a leader
-Networking
-Do Homework
-Showing up to School
-Actively participating in groups and projects around the school
Characteristics of becoming a leader
-Courageous
-Speaking up for what is right
-Recognising who you are
-Always willing to learn
-Having the initiative to be m.a.d (making a difference)
Every leader has a leader, every leader looks up to someone.
Showing posts with label leadership. Show all posts
Showing posts with label leadership. Show all posts
Monday, March 8, 2010
Interview with Cherly Mc Falden
"We empower ourselves by reading more"
"Education is the passport for the future"
What inspired you to get into adult literacy:
I was a tutor in Philadelphia and there was a high level of illiteracy especially among the black within the community. There was also a lack of volunteers to help others.
What literacy mean to you:
I feel I am doing what God has put me on the earth to do, I feel obligated.
What changes do you want to see in terms of literacy:
I want literacy become more flexible and accessible to adults. Sometimes literacy schedule coincide with their job schedules or house chores. They sometimes have no one to look after their children.
What do you believe reading can do for others:
Reading is power, it helps you find yourself and gives you a voice
"Education is the passport for the future"
What inspired you to get into adult literacy:
I was a tutor in Philadelphia and there was a high level of illiteracy especially among the black within the community. There was also a lack of volunteers to help others.
What literacy mean to you:
I feel I am doing what God has put me on the earth to do, I feel obligated.
What changes do you want to see in terms of literacy:
I want literacy become more flexible and accessible to adults. Sometimes literacy schedule coincide with their job schedules or house chores. They sometimes have no one to look after their children.
What do you believe reading can do for others:
Reading is power, it helps you find yourself and gives you a voice
Interview with Shelly Walters
Shelly is tutor at a literacy program and she feels inspired to do her work
Why did you join the adult literacy team:
I would admit I came from a home where my parents were not very educated. I did not want that cycle to continue because I believed that everyone should be educated. I wanted to initiate change in other people's life and not allow them to go through the thing I went through with literacy. Also I think there was a need to help others and no one to fill those positions
What do you think is you biggest challenge being part of a literacy team:
To educate others, a lot of people don't have the power to change their life. I want to be that person they can lean on and get the support they need.
Why did you join the adult literacy team:
I would admit I came from a home where my parents were not very educated. I did not want that cycle to continue because I believed that everyone should be educated. I wanted to initiate change in other people's life and not allow them to go through the thing I went through with literacy. Also I think there was a need to help others and no one to fill those positions
What do you think is you biggest challenge being part of a literacy team:
To educate others, a lot of people don't have the power to change their life. I want to be that person they can lean on and get the support they need.
Adult Education Women are Super (ROLE) Models & Partners
*we began by discussing the multi-stakeholder visioning process
*a participatory process
*moving forward-enhancing professional skills, supporting community, building pathways to high education and job opportunities
*Assets vs. Needs approach i.e. the glass is half full approach to learning, listening to not just what learners think but what they need
*Student Voices Study in 2008 with 151 learners including current students and alumni across all sectors
*found that students were looking for opportunities to give back to their fellow students in the form of peer mentors, tutors, and counselors
*Strategies were developed and categorized based on need by the alumni
*support and motivation
*community organizing and outreach
*information and communication
*Advocacy
*The instructor then acts us all to define leadership; a long list of attributes was given
*Leadership:The decision to see that everything around you goes well.
*Issues that face women in leadership are
*Oppression;externally and socially
*Internalized oppression;no power, negative self-image,limited capacity to inspire
*passing the hurt vs. creating a culture of healing
*Isolation;cultural/language/economic barriers
*At this time we did a listening exchange exercise where we worked with a partner describing what our programs are doing to engage women in leadership. The listener was required to be silent but encouraging without interruptions or judgements
*upon further discussion of leadership qualities the instructor suggested that the same qualities required to be a leader are required to be an adult learner
*At this time we were introduced to program that began in New York in 2009 called We are New York or WANY an ESOL program
*In 2010 WANY began a leadership internship program
*the Future Now Program based on whole student centered principles
*Head-strong academics
*Heart-emotional support
*Soul-values adult learner bring to the classroom
*Engaging Adult learners as partners increases retention rates, improves program outcomes, decreases drop out rates
*We watched short video, (part of a TV series) specifically for adult learners that deals with obstacles that stand in the way of success. These videos are available with sub titles-used another tool/support system
*Adult Education Alumni Alliance
*objectives are based around improving outcomes for learner and alumni, the structure of a sustainable network in NYC, creation of a student centered adult education system
*We then discussed the the transition from local to systemic Action
Leaders
*Biming Long
*Role model for ESOL students in Chinatown community. She went from student to educator in the English and Grammar dept.
*currently a WANY intern at the Mayor's office
*Pamela Soriano
*serves a student liaison bridging the gap between students and program leaders
*Guadalupe Delgado
*on the student newspaper, works a research assistant
*works as a WANY intern at the Mayor's office using the We are New York TV series to improves the lives of other learners
*Diane Francis
*Works as a mentor and instructor for the Queens library adult literacy program
*works a WANY leadership intern for the Mayor's office. She is also a founding member of the Adult Education Alumni Alliance
*Objectives of leadership internships are; increased student retention and transitions to college level, increased literacy by helping people learn English, developed alumni leadership and advocacy
The lessons learned from these programs are
* learners are assets
*alumni are a "secret weapon"
*communities have to have the goal of empowerment
*the culture of adult learning needs to be shifted on both a local and systemic level towards learner centered and learner led programs
Friday, March 5, 2010
Undoing the Silence: Students and Teachers Coming to voice.
In this session sat 25 women who had all been inspired by each other. Shared stories of how they are over coming obstacles. Four women stood up form Julie's Family Learning Program and shared how Julie's inspired them to keep pushing on, to further their education, to shape them in the women they want to be. Not only at they are students at Julie's but they are family members. They shared their inspirational stories that touched everyone in the room.
Student number 1 talked about how she is getting ready to transfer to a Culinary Arts school. Julie had provided her with a voice to over come her personal battles.
Student number 2 stood up and spoke how she attends Julies for her daughter, she inspires her to push her self.
Student number 3 spoke about this was her first time attending WE LEARN. Julie's to her is second home, with out Julies she wouldn't be the person who she is today.
Student number 4 talked how Julie's gave her basic life skills to help get back on her feet. Julies is going to help get into college and get a full time job. She is ready to take on the world.
Session: How We Feel When We Lead
In this session, ESOL student leaders and teachers from Mexico, Guyana and Yemen share experiences of leadership and learning.
The first presenter (a learner) talked about how her desire to develop her leadership comes from her desire to be a model for her children. She also related how decisions such as coming to America and starting a family were very conscious, and how that sort of decision making is part of leadership. She shared a story about
The second presenter (a teacher) asked - "Why the title - 'How we feel when we lead'? She related how she came from a traditional background in Guyana, where gender roles are very defined and women's access to education was limited. Her mother worked on her own to overcome this, and became an avid reader. The presenter noted that she often uses her mother as an example for her students. She also went back to college in her 30s, and became the first woman in her family to attend college.
She also talked about a student who persisted in the face of financial troubles that really left her feeling down and useless, but who kept going and became a teaching assistant. That student told her, after starting that job, "People respect me! They call me Ms. M---!" That feeling is part of the leadership journey.
The floor is then turned over to the room for the first group activity - "What does leadership mean to you?"
Power of example
Responsiblity (X2)
Organization
Service
Structure
Creativity
Support
Achievement
Strength
Polite
Patience
Persistence
Perseverance
Goals
The third presenter (a student and women's rights activist) is from Yemen. She came to America at 7, dropped out of school at 11 and her family thought it was a great decision. With four kids, she learned to cook and help around the house - very gender specific role. At 18, she got married. Had two kids. Then she felt empty, so decided to go back to school. Her husband went to her parents, but they supported her. When she was in class she felt alive - like she had a brain and it was working. Then they lived in Alabama for two years, but nothing was free. Learned how to swim and drive. Came back, got divorced, is now in GED and has never felt happier. We deserve the best!
Her story focuses on personal initiative and taking care of herself.
The fourth presenter (a learner) grew up in a house with domestic violence. Her parents got divorced and her world fell apart. Her school was disrupted. However, she is now in a leadership training program. They had a bake sale to raise money to come here. She also talked about being involved in the hiring process for a position at their school, and great an experience that was. She has made friends in the process.
Second group activity - "What are the barriers to leadership and learning?"
Responses from group:
Self-esteem
Education
Culture
Communication (like Proper Grammar)
People Skills
Interacting
Traditions
Time
Childcare (much nodding and murmurs of approval)
Transportation
Sometimes husbands
Sometimes existing leadership
Sometimes relationships
Addiction
Money
Stigma
Lack of resources
Experience
Languages
Approach of practitioners/methods
Negative attitudes
Backgrounds
Self-confidence (Participant to group: "It's mandatory New York!")
Presenter says: "If you say 'I can't do it' the limit is inside you."
Participant: "You have to believe to receive."
The fifth presenter (a learner and leadership award winner) then starts by asking, "Why am I studying?" She has a slide:
It is nice to know.
Because the world has more and more colors than we can see and explain.
Ignorance is as heavy as a stone.
Study is better for us when we know more.
We can quickly understand what hurts us.
We can quickly understand what we need.
Key quote: "We are the leaders in our house. We are the leaders of our lives."
She lost a scholarship in her home country because she was a woman, even though she had a good academic record. But here the barrier is language. But she loves to serve. She also talked about going to the hospital for contraceptives, because she didn't know where to go. She ended up talking to people in the ER, who then told her to go someplace else (language was a communication hurdle). Later on, she got a bill for $500, even though she didn't do anything in the ER except ask questions about contraception. She did not pay it. She is an accountant in her home country, and a volunteer.
Then there was another large group activity with two questions: (1) What motivates you to learn and lead? and (2) What are some of your leadership goals?
Goals included - stay in school, better job, elevate self-esteem, to help, to inspire others to lead
Motivation - Family, ticket to independence, used bad example to push us forward
The session then wrapped up.
The first presenter (a learner) talked about how her desire to develop her leadership comes from her desire to be a model for her children. She also related how decisions such as coming to America and starting a family were very conscious, and how that sort of decision making is part of leadership. She shared a story about
The second presenter (a teacher) asked - "Why the title - 'How we feel when we lead'? She related how she came from a traditional background in Guyana, where gender roles are very defined and women's access to education was limited. Her mother worked on her own to overcome this, and became an avid reader. The presenter noted that she often uses her mother as an example for her students. She also went back to college in her 30s, and became the first woman in her family to attend college.
She also talked about a student who persisted in the face of financial troubles that really left her feeling down and useless, but who kept going and became a teaching assistant. That student told her, after starting that job, "People respect me! They call me Ms. M---!" That feeling is part of the leadership journey.
The floor is then turned over to the room for the first group activity - "What does leadership mean to you?"
Power of example
Responsiblity (X2)
Organization
Service
Structure
Creativity
Support
Achievement
Strength
Polite
Patience
Persistence
Perseverance
Goals
The third presenter (a student and women's rights activist) is from Yemen. She came to America at 7, dropped out of school at 11 and her family thought it was a great decision. With four kids, she learned to cook and help around the house - very gender specific role. At 18, she got married. Had two kids. Then she felt empty, so decided to go back to school. Her husband went to her parents, but they supported her. When she was in class she felt alive - like she had a brain and it was working. Then they lived in Alabama for two years, but nothing was free. Learned how to swim and drive. Came back, got divorced, is now in GED and has never felt happier. We deserve the best!
Her story focuses on personal initiative and taking care of herself.
The fourth presenter (a learner) grew up in a house with domestic violence. Her parents got divorced and her world fell apart. Her school was disrupted. However, she is now in a leadership training program. They had a bake sale to raise money to come here. She also talked about being involved in the hiring process for a position at their school, and great an experience that was. She has made friends in the process.
Second group activity - "What are the barriers to leadership and learning?"
Responses from group:
Self-esteem
Education
Culture
Communication (like Proper Grammar)
People Skills
Interacting
Traditions
Time
Childcare (much nodding and murmurs of approval)
Transportation
Sometimes husbands
Sometimes existing leadership
Sometimes relationships
Addiction
Money
Stigma
Lack of resources
Experience
Languages
Approach of practitioners/methods
Negative attitudes
Backgrounds
Self-confidence (Participant to group: "It's mandatory New York!")
Presenter says: "If you say 'I can't do it' the limit is inside you."
Participant: "You have to believe to receive."
The fifth presenter (a learner and leadership award winner) then starts by asking, "Why am I studying?" She has a slide:
It is nice to know.
Because the world has more and more colors than we can see and explain.
Ignorance is as heavy as a stone.
Study is better for us when we know more.
We can quickly understand what hurts us.
We can quickly understand what we need.
Key quote: "We are the leaders in our house. We are the leaders of our lives."
She lost a scholarship in her home country because she was a woman, even though she had a good academic record. But here the barrier is language. But she loves to serve. She also talked about going to the hospital for contraceptives, because she didn't know where to go. She ended up talking to people in the ER, who then told her to go someplace else (language was a communication hurdle). Later on, she got a bill for $500, even though she didn't do anything in the ER except ask questions about contraception. She did not pay it. She is an accountant in her home country, and a volunteer.
Then there was another large group activity with two questions: (1) What motivates you to learn and lead? and (2) What are some of your leadership goals?
Goals included - stay in school, better job, elevate self-esteem, to help, to inspire others to lead
Motivation - Family, ticket to independence, used bad example to push us forward
The session then wrapped up.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Leadership
As you can see from above, one of the three main themes of this year's conference is "Leadership." What does it mean to be a leader? How do we develop leadership? How is it a personal experience and how is it more of a communal experience? What questions or thoughts do you have about leadership?
Sunday, February 28, 2010
First Post
Hi. Here is the sample post. If we include labels (below), they should show up on the left. That way since multiple people will be posting, we can read through posts thematically.
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