There ARE teachers who care!!

I just returned from a fabulous conference in Largo Florida-- the SPARC conference (www.standadvocates.org/). Over 1000 people attended- including parents, professionals (teachers, administrators, OT's PT's, alternative therapies and wonderful supprt groups!) from many different backgrounds-- but we were all searching for ways to help our kids SUCCEED!!

We had the honor of leading two presentations; one primarily for parents and another one for teachers and professionals. Both groups were enthusiastic and genuinely interested in looking for different strategies to help kids.

The parents in attendance were obviously frustrated that they felt the education process was not meeting the needs of their children. There was a lively discussion that focused on how, as parents, THEY COULD be instrumental in fostering support from the teacher and the school, as well as outside professionals, to help their child be outrageously successful. Many parents did not want to leave-- and stayed for the next session that was focused on helping teachers both identify and teach to smart right-brained learners!

This was a group of enthusiastic teachers who really cared! They did not have to come. They too were frustrated that their 4th grade students were reading at the 1st grade level and all the programs that they had tried were just not successful enough!! Our notes were moved aside so that we could address what the teachers wanted! Specific strategies and tools they could use with students that would engage them and help them be successful.

We encouraged teachers to be the ones to take the initiative with parents to work as a team WITH the student to set bold goals. There was excitement that came from both groups when we spoke about looking at children from the perspective of what they CAN do versus what difficulties they are having. We can hardly wait to hear the success stories. We know there are many teachers out there who want to make the difference-- and we were happy to meet and work with some yesterday!! We CAN make a difference!!