The superintendent of Utica Community Schools in Michigan, Dr. Christine Johns believes strongly in public involvement in the activities of K-12 education. In a recent blog post, Dr. Christine Johns expressed her beliefs in the importance of civic support for teaching and learning.
The superintendent listed three necessities for a strong community: quality schools, secure neighborhoods, and thriving businesses. The care of the community for its children makes these three goals possible.
School-related endeavors help in a number of ways. Experienced students mentor younger ones, elder citizens help with tutoring, parents confer with teachers, and business leaders encourage career plans.
Students themselves appreciate these examples of voluntary action. Utica pupils were asked to identify supports that help them in their education. Possible choices included their interest in school (engagement), ideas and plans for the future (hope), and their beliefs about upcoming success (well-being).
Respondents gave more positive responses to these factors than the national average for school children. To Dr. Johns, these results indicate optimistic beliefs about their prospects; one source for this hopeful outlook was the knowledge that their community cared for and believed in them.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.