What role do families play in children’s learning as they grow into adolescence? How can teachers build partnerships with parents and caregivers? What happens when schools work with families?
In this episode, Nina speaks with Elisabetta Aurino, Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Barcelona in Spain. Elisabetta shares findings from her research in Ghana showing how caregivers can support their teens, even with limited resources. She discusses why some parents hold back from getting involved and how teachers can communicate with empathy. “Parents still remain the main factor driving the children's learning and development, especially in the early adolescent years”, Elisabetta says.
Nina then hears from Shereen Abdullah, who teaches language and literature at an IB school in Cairo, Egypt. She specialises in supporting students with special educational needs. Shereen says that consistent, open communication between parents and schools can impact a student’s learning experience. Shereen says that just “a 10-minute talk with their parents on a daily basis” can help a student be well-rounded.
Next, Nina hears from Wendy McKenzie and Cheryl McKenzie, sisters with extensive teaching experience in Trinidad, the USA, and beyond. Wendy, who teaches at an all-boys secondary school in Trinidad, shares stories of deep parental engagement, from project mentoring to guidance sessions led by parents. She says that “those boys whose parents have been present in school, they are usually the boys who excel at school”.
Cheryl, a middle school teacher, tells Nina that parental involvement evolves as children mature. They can offer strategies to support teenagers’ emotional and social development alongside their academic growth. “We should have talks with parents encouraging them to be there for their child socially, be there for their child academically,” Cheryl says.
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Guests
Elisabetta Aurino: LinkedIn
Shereen Abdullah: LinkedIn, Instagram
Wendy McKenzie: BOLD profile
Cheryl McKenzie Eugene: Facebook