Back-to-school time means a flurry of refocused energy: new classes, new programs, new teachers, new lessons, and new students. Whether you’re an educator, a parent, or an adult who works with youth, this is a time to plan and prepare for the year ahead. We’ve compiled a list of resources to help make the transition from summer vacation to classroom learning an easy one—right now, and year-round!
Back-to-School for Educators
Every teacher wants to help students succeed. Search Institute conducts research to help you build the relationships and experiences your students need. Our framework of 40 Developmental Assets identifies the many ways you can make a difference.
- Bring the Developmental Assets to your school.
Read Search Institute Senior Education Consultant, Nathan Eklund’s 10 Thoughts For a Meaningful School Year on the Teacher’s Lounge Blog.
Download School Engagement Handout
Listen to Scott Butler’s podcast on the Developmental Assets and teacher job satisfaction – Dr. Butler discusses his dissertation,An Analysis of a Conceptual Framework to Express Teacher Job Satisfaction. Butler explains his research findings, what the Asset framework means when applied to educators, and how his school district began taking Asset building to the next level—not only with students, but also with staff and entire faculty.
Back-to-School for Youth Serving Organizations
The back-to-school flurry not only affects educators, but all facets of people who work with youth. The balancing of new schedules and responsibilities can be a challenge for kids. Here are some tips to remind you of the kinds of things you can do as a youth worker to remain a positive role model in your kids lives.
Connect With Parents and Families, Connect With Success
Parent engagement is crucial to school success, but many parents are spread thin—either unable or unsure how to be more involved in their children’s academic lives. Teachers are likewise busy with day-to-day classroom responsibilities. How can professionals give parents the information they need without adding another item to the endless to-do list?
ParentFurther is a Search Institute resource that aims to do just that. As you navigate the challenges of the school year, here you can refer parents to high-quality, research-based advice. More than just a website, ParentFurther represents a larger family outreach campaign; join our effort to help parents learn the simple, everyday steps to raising successful kids.
Here are some key ways ParentFurther helps educators connect with parents:
• Check out our School Success section, filled with tips for giving students the positive support they need.
• Check out our “School Problems” section, designed to help families overcome academic and behavioral challenges, including bullying and school violence.
• Encourage parents to sign up for our free e-newsletter, Everyday Parenting Ideas. Each newsletter provides age-specific tips about issues that matter to families. Check out our latest back-to-school issue.
• Share the ParentFurther Blog.
• Follow ParentFurther on Facebook or Twitter to receive daily parenting ideas and info.
