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USD 475 Parents as Teachers Program a Success JUNCTION CITY, Kan. – Did you know that Geary County Schools USD 475 has a Parents as Teachers program? The USD 475 Parents as Teachers program, which is made up of six total Parent Educators from the district and YMCA in Junction City, has been working with USD 475 families for over 20 years. The program, which encourages parents to be an advocate for their child and focus on families who have children newborn to kindergarten within the district’s boundaries, helps parents not only gain a voice in their child’s life, but also be able to have the knowledge and foundation to be able to promote their children’s wellness, while empowering themselves to advocate for the overall needs of each family member in their family. “Our Parents as Teachers program provides support to our community’s families with young children in a variety of ways. Parent educators are trained professionals that empower families with information about their child’s development and research-based strategies in which parents can use to support their child’s learning through home visits. PAT offers group connection events that allow for families with young children to meet and interact with other families of similar aged children, while providing a network of potential support to them,” said Stephanie Waterman, USD 475 Early Childhood Program Coordinator. The USD 475 Parents as Teachers program, which is a blue-ribbon affiliated program that is recognized on a national level, has adopted curriculum that is grounded on the latest evidence-based research. Each parent educator is professionally trained to deliver curriculum that is individualized to each child based on their developmental milestones. Support is also established by home visits, group connections, resource networks, and providing child and caregiver screenings. “Positive parenting classes are offered, and Parent educators are well-versed on local agencies and resources available, assisting families in accessing those that are needed. The Early Childhood Program has partnered with Parents as Teachers for many years and we value their unique approach in providing developmental support in a child’s most natural learning environment, their homes,” said Waterman. As you can see, ultimately, supporting a parent’s role in a child’s development is an individualized relationship which is unique to each family and each family is supported in USD 475 based on their family dynamic. “Developing an advocating relationship with families promotes a parents’ role in supporting their child’s overall development, while promoting optimal well-being and supporting school readiness based on achievable milestones,” said Jill Blake, USD 475 Parents as Teachers oversight. “Being a building block and lifting families up to support them in being their best is an empowering experience for everyone. Many educators cherish moments with families as we all recognize that they are letting us be a part of their life for a small moment. That small moment is not taken for granted and we do our best to support.” To see upcoming Parents as Teachers events or learn how to enroll your family in this program, please reach out to Blake via email at jillblake@usd475.org or by visiting the USD 475 Parents as Teachers Facebook page.
USD 475 Parents as Teachers Program a Success
JUNCTION CITY, Kan. – Did you know that Geary County Schools USD 475 has a Parents as Teachers program?
The USD 475 Parents as Teachers program, which is made up of six total Parent Educators from the district and YMCA in Junction City, has been working with USD 475 families for over 20 years. The program, which encourages parents to be an advocate for their child and focus on families who have children newborn to kindergarten within the district’s boundaries, helps parents not only gain a voice in their child’s life, but also be able to have the knowledge and foundation to be able to promote their children’s wellness, while empowering themselves to advocate for the overall needs of each family member in their family. “Our Parents as Teachers program provides support to our community’s families with young children in a variety of ways. Parent educators are trained professionals that empower families with information about their child’s development and research-based strategies in which parents can use to support their child’s learning through home visits. PAT offers group connection events that allow for families with young children to meet and interact with other families of similar aged children, while providing a network of potential support to them,” said Stephanie Waterman, USD 475 Early Childhood Program Coordinator. The USD 475 Parents as Teachers program, which is a blue-ribbon affiliated program that is recognized on a national level, has adopted curriculum that is grounded on the latest evidence-based research. Each parent educator is professionally trained to deliver curriculum that is individualized to each child based on their developmental milestones. Support is also established by home visits, group connections, resource networks, and providing child and caregiver screenings. “Positive parenting classes are offered, and Parent educators are well-versed on local agencies and resources available, assisting families in accessing those that are needed. The Early Childhood Program has partnered with Parents as Teachers for many years and we value their unique approach in providing developmental support in a child’s most natural learning environment, their homes,” said Waterman. As you can see, ultimately, supporting a parent’s role in a child’s development is an individualized relationship which is unique to each family and each family is supported in USD 475 based on their family dynamic. “Developing an advocating relationship with families promotes a parents’ role in supporting their child’s overall development, while promoting optimal well-being and supporting school readiness based on achievable milestones,” said Jill Blake, USD 475 Parents as Teachers oversight. “Being a building block and lifting families up to support them in being their best is an empowering experience for everyone. Many educators cherish moments with families as we all recognize that they are letting us be a part of their life for a small moment. That small moment is not taken for granted and we do our best to support.” To see upcoming Parents as Teachers events or learn how to enroll your family in this program, please reach out to Blake via email at jillblake@usd475.org or by visiting the USD 475 Parents as Teachers Facebook page.