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Educator Involvement

Teacher and administrator involvement ideas to inspire from the winning entries for My PTA/PTSA Awards

2008
TEAM BUILDING: Capistrano Unified Council of PTAs

The Council hosted “Partners for our School: PTA Presidents and Principals,” a team building workshop.

Workshop tools:

  • Video
  • Small group discussions
  • Presentations

Purpose: Principals and PTA presidents were able to experience each other’s problems at schools.

Success: More than 50 principals and 50 PTA presidents attended, helping all learn how to better work together.

2008
GETTING PHYSICAL: Tesoro High School PTSA

Teachers, administrators, and staff supported the PTSA in developing a fitness program called “Move It Titans!” after the school mascot.

Goals:

  • Promote healthy eating and physical activity for youth.Increase awareness of lifetime health through nutrition and exercise/activity.
  • Demonstrate fun activity choices for life.
  • Educate students on healthy nutrition.

Success: The PTSA was pleased with the plan to make sure “No Child Is Left on Their Behind.”

2007
AFTERSCHOOL SOLUTIONS: Charles Helmers Elementary School PTA, Santa Clarita Valley Council

The project: The After School Enrichment Program.

The PTA:

  • Designed and oversaw the program.
  • Partnered with the school for expertise, security, and facility use.Offered 20 different classes twice a year for K-6 students.

2007
SPECIAL FOCUS: San Ramon Valley PTA Council

The program: The PTA’s Special Needs Committee.

  • Brought together parents, administrators, and even legislators.
  • Focused on raising understanding between parents and administrators.

Success: Won statewide praise and national recognition helping to minimize conflict on this emotional and complex topic.

  • Outfitted a school command center with flashlights, gloves, helmets, duct tape, walkie-talkies, food and water, portable potties, tables, and other necessities, all stored in a 10-foot container purchased by PTA.

Success: Ongoing training and consultation with community resources assures that students will be safe in case of disaster.

2006
READY FOR ANYTHING: Seaside Elementary PTA, Torrance Council

The Project: Schoolwide emergency preparedness.

The PTA:

  • Partnered with school and district administrators, city officials, local merchants, and teachers.
  • Expanded a basic program to preparedness inside and outside the classroom.
  • Checked that each classroom had shelves secured, exits clear and other emergency preparations in place.Addressed any adjustments that were needed with parent and staff volunteers on “Super Saturday School Beautification Day.”Each classroom was supplied with basic emergency “survival” supplies.

Worked with teachers and the principal to put an “outside the classroom” plan in place.

2006
CITYWIDE SAFETY: Torrance Council of PTAs

The Project: Citywide disaster preparedness

The council:

  • Built upon a city program that had lost its funding.
  • Created a Disaster Volunteer Registration process with new training and documentation requirements sought by the school district.Arranged for a variety of workshops and training sessions.
  • Implemented a complex “cross-checking” of volunteer readiness and registration with participation of teachers, staff, and district office administrators.

Success: The new, standardized program raised the bar for student safety and facilitated providing volunteers during a crisis.

2005
PROFESSIONAL PARTNERSHIPS: Santa Clarita Valley Council

The Goal: Building partnerships with principals and teachers.

The council:

  • Partnered with the local chapter of the Association of California School Administrators to present a panel discussion on the relationship between PTA and principals.Celebrated local teachers at the council’s November Fall Dinner and invited representatives from all local California Teachers Association chapters.
  • Chose a local teacher as the dinner’s keynote speaker, who spoke on the importance of PTA and parent involvement.Encouraged its unit presidents to attend at least one monthly staff meeting at the schools to serve as liaison with teachers and administrators.

Success: Parents in the community came to be seen as educational partners, not adversaries.

2005
THE PRINCIPAL PRINCIPLE: Corona-Norco Council

The Goal: Building administrative-PTA connections.

  • A principal advisor is a member of the council board, keeping units informed on a variety of issues.
  • A principal speaks at each council meeting.
  • An assistant principal writes a two-paragraph article for the council newsletter.The school district superintendent sends someone from the district staff to council meetings to speak on current topics.

Success: Principals became active participants in council units.

2005
ROAD TO READING: Hickory Elementary PTA, Torrance Council

The Project: “Read Across the USA.”
  • A teacher co-chaired the program.
  • Teachers and other staff members were recruited to participate in skits representing various cities and states in our nation.

Success: “Read Across the USA” is truly a team effort.

2005
LIT LOVERS: Newhall Elementary PTA, Santa Clarita Valley Council

The Goal: Promoting enjoyment of literature and reading.

The PTA:

  • Worked with teachers, staff and volunteers to present “Camp Read Aloud,” a family evening hearing books read under the stars. Helped support the “Readers Are Leaders” program that rewards children with small prizes for reading books and turning in book reports.