Awards and Recognition
 |
-
Selected in 2010 by the National Family, School, and Community Engagement Working Group, coordinated by the Harvard Family Research Project, as one of twelve examples of leading innovations in family engagement, Taking Leadership, Innovating Change. - Tellin’ Stories is featured in a full-length article in the Spring 2009 (Vol. 23 No. 03) edition of Rethinking Schools.
- The National Education Association (NEA) produced a 10-minute film about the work of Tellin’ Stories. Watch the film online. The film was produced for a three day NEA/Maryland State Parental Information and Resource Center (MD PIRC) sponsored training institute that our staff provided to teacher and parent teams from across the country.
- The work of Tellin’ Stories was featured in the second edition of the National Association of Elementary School Principals Sharing the Dream Report on Promising Practices (PDF).
- Tellin’ Stories was featured on the PBS To the Contrary program in July, 2002.
- A parent activist with Tellin’ Stories, Sandra Cruz , received the second annual PRRAC Edith Witt Internship Award.
- Tellin’ Stories was the 2001 MetLife Foundation Teacher-Parent Engagement Through Partnership Award.
Success Stories
Expanding and Deepening Parent Engagement at E.L. Haynes Public Charter School
Teaching for Change worked with E.L. Haynes Public Charter School in Washington, D.C. in the fall of 2010 to increase and diversify parent engagement. Our work at the school is made possible with support from the D.C. Children’s Youth Investment Trust Corporation, the Cafritz Foundation, the Mayor’s Office of Latino Affairs, and the Columbus Foundation. Volunteer Tish Ward* documented the process. Here is her report:
I watched people from a myriad of races, ethnicities and backgrounds fill the room. E.L. Haynes parents, teachers and school administrators were gathering for Tellin’ Stories, a Teaching for Change community-building program designed to bring together key stakeholders to discuss and address concerns that impact the educational environment of their school.
The Story Quilting series is a distinctive aspect of Tellin’ Stories that involves participants sharing a part of their personal story on a felt square. At the end of the program, the felt squares are sewn together. Read more.
The Struggle Continues for Bruce-Monroe Parents, Teachers and Students
In 2010 we turned over the Bruce-Monroe Elementary School campaign for the promised school building to Empower DC’s People’s Property Campaign. We continue to lend support. Read more in First Hand View and Promises, Promises.
Watch this video:
Ethiopian Families Connect with School
In the 2009-2010 school year, we worked with Brightwood EC (DCPS) to engage Ethiopian families at the school. Prior to our work with the school, Ethiopian parents prepared their children for school, however they did not play an active role in formal school activities. Based on our work at the school for one year, over half of the families are now involved in weekly parent meetings and/or as Roving Readers. More photos. This work was funded by the DCPS Office of Bilingual Education and the D.C. Children’s Youth Investment Trust Corporation.
