INTASC+Standard+10

__INTASC Standard 10__ The teacher fosters relationships with school colleagues, parents, and agencies in the larger community to support students' learning and well-being

__Understanding Sentence__ The teacher understands that having a good relationship between families, peers, and the community is essential to every childs success in school. The teacher actively encourages communication between these members and creates and welcomes opportunities for these members to participate in the classroom.

__Specific Category of Standard 10__ 10.B. K: The teacher understands how factors in the students' environment outside of school (e.g. family circumstances, community environments, health and economic conditions) may influence students' life and learning. __Artifacts__
 * Community In Schools Journal[[file:EDSP 3240 CIS Journal[.doc]]

__Reflect__ I chose this artifact because as a requirement for one of my special education classes I volunteered with the Community in Schools program. I was able to work in a school that supported a program called Even Start. This program isset up for spanish speaking families that were of low SES.The kids go to school at the same time as the parents so that the parents could learn english and learn life skills such as addressing letters, or balancing a checkbook. During this volunteer time I went to home visits with other teachers from the programs. I was allowed into their private lives and got a glimpse into what these parents go through and how they struggle to fit into a strange world. I also was able to see how family life affected their kids. I realize now that kids are their culture, they are their heritage, they are their religion, they are their beliefs, and they are reflections of their families.

__Project__ In my future teachingI know that if I want to reach my students, I must first reach their families. Students are a reflection of their home life and of their parents. If I want to be effective with my students, then I must do whatever it takes to be effective with their families. I also know that the cliche "It takes a whole village to raise a child" is very true. It takes teachers, administrators, and a community to raise a child.