Anyone for Raspberry Pi?

Have you heard the buzz about the Raspberry Pi?  This computer (the size of a credit card) has tremendous capabilities, and the price tag, a mere $35.00!  Can you imagine?  When you think that at one time computers occupied building and cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, and now, the Raspberry Pi is revolutionizing how we think about personal computing.  This computer is being used with middle school students to help them learn to write code through SCRATCH.  The plan is to ultimately transition these budding code writers to Python and ultimately help launch them as programmers and engineers. 

In reality, the computer, shown above, is not much bigger than the picture.  But the possibilities are amazing!  Below is a link to an article in the New York Times.  Check it out. "A Tiny Computer" This amazing little computer could be used to access C4K staff development by hooking it to an existing TV, monitor, mouse and key board.  How cool is that.

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Expanding Learning for Older Youth

Around the nation, organizations are focused on older youth, students in middle and high school.  You know the ones—they vote with their feet.  If the program is not validating for them, they simply stop coming.  In Chicago, the After School Maters Youth Advisory Council has developed a video and online toolkit.  In Massachusetts, Boston After School and Beyond’s new framework “Achieve, Connect, Thrive, provides practical information to teen-serving organizations.  And in California, C4K has a collection of videos that are geared to middle school providers.  Here are a few of them.  Click on the links below to check them out.

5 Minutes of Prep:  One strategy that you can utilize in middle school to help youth be ready for homework is 5 Minutes of Prep. Learn about how to implement this strategy with your youth.

Building Community:  In middle school it is important that you work on the development of community. Creating a positive environment for kids will result in a sense of belonging and ownership.

Encouraging Student Leadership:  Creating a space for student leadership in after-school programs is an essential part of the work. Learn how to engage young people in leading the program create opportunities for all young people to develop leadership skills and finally how to give leadership feedback to youth.

Middle School Academic Clubs:   Disguised learning and middle school clubs go together. Learn about creating relevant and rigorous clubs that focus on student interest while building academic skills. Learn about designing single lessons and developing projects to engage youth.

Middle School Advisory Periods:  Creating a viable middle school schedule is challenging. Consider a variety of options, including setting up an advisory period.

Middle School Approach:  Is a Middle School student an “older elementary” student or an “early high school” student? As you would expect, middle school is between these two modes. Explore ways to approach middle school students and engage them in owning the afterschool program.

Middle School Mindset:  Working with middle school students can be challenging. They are truly at a “tweener” age. What mind-set do you need to be effective?

Middle School Team Challenge:  Team Challenge for middle school students is exactly that, a challenge. Learn how to bring young people into the planning of Team Challenge and how to help them execute on those plans.

For more videos, sign up for a free trial. Go to www.consultfourkids.com/Registration.aspx and enter the referral code "10daysfree".

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Building Relationships

After school is a relational business.  The importance of building strong relationships is the bedrock of the work we do.  The Three R’s of After school, relationships, relevance, and rigor, begins with relationships.  We believe in working in partners, small groups, and teams.  We believe in finding common ground and searching for win-win solutions.  We believe in being intentional in this effort and have found in our experience that relationships are built through time, care and belief.  The song, Cat’s in the Cradle, speaks to the importance of spending time with not for the people that we want to be in relationship with.  Caring for people can be captured in the notion of “plowing the road” and clearing the obstacles that impede people as they work to move forward.  And finally, belief speaks to holding others in unconditional positive regard and believing that the best day for each person is still to come. 

We encourage you to click on the link that follows and view the Online Instruction video:  BuildingRelationships Through Time, Care and Belief.  It is incredibly important that we provide our youth workers not only with strategies for building those relationships but a keen understanding of why these relationships are so important.  

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Online Education for Students

The State University of New York (SUNY) Chancellor, Nancy Zimpher, announced at the end of January the University was going to add 100,000 online students, including international students and others who live outside of New York.  The plan is to enable students to get over 10 online bachelor’s degrees in high-demand careers.  The courses, still under development, will be ready to launch in the fall of 2013.  It is expected that by 2015, 25% of the University students will graduate in 3 years instead of 4, which will save costly tuition and reduce student loans. 

Zimpher also stated, “the path to college begins when a child is born”, and expressed her desire to create a SUNY Cradle to Career Alliance to provide technical and professional support at all sites.  You can read more about this vision at: SUNY Develop Degree Plan

Now you may be asking yourself why we at C4K find this so interesting.  We believe that C4K’s staff development system can play the same kind of role for afterschool professionals as SUNY can play for college students in New York.  The difference is the amount of time that it takes to graduate from college and be ready to work in the afterschool space.  We have everything that high school graduates, people who want to re-enter the workforce for a second career, retirees, and others can tap into and benefit from the after school work force development training we offer, and in a matter of weeks you can be ready to look for employment.  Check us out at C4K

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I Am Capable

Remember a time when you knew for sure that you could do something.  Maybe it was when you had studied for a test and suddenly knew that you could answer all the questions.  Or maybe it was when you had been working on a particular dance move and suddenly it seemed like you had been doing it forever.  Or perhaps it was when you were learning how to play the flute and it amazingly began to sound exactly like you thought it should.  It was at that moment you knew you were capable.  You knew that you could handle the situation.  You had faith in yourself and you knew you had worth and value.  That feeling of self-efficacy is a result of know that you are capable. 

C4K has a video, I Am Capable which focuses on three strategies to help young people learn that they are capable.  First the video covers the importance of imagining yourself successful and then practicing the habits of capable people:   focus, concentration, respect, discipline, confidence, and responsibility.  Secondly the video talks about the importance of making the decision to become capable and the importance of setting realistic short term goals which can lead to more long term plans.  Finally the video talks about the importance of choosing success phrases to repeat over and over, becoming the self-talk mantra you need to chase doubt away. 

Although it may seem so, you don’t just wake up one day and find out that you are capable.  There are no “overnight” successes.  It takes intentionality and practice along the way to become truly capable.  Sharing strategies that will help youth feel more capable is an essential part of your work as an afterschool leader.  Remember, every day, in every way, you are a role model and mentor for youth.  Be the very best you can be and give the young people you work with the permission to do the same. 

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Great Win-Win Opportunity

You know, once in a while you stumble across an opportunity that is good for everyone concerned.  C4K has found such an opportunity and is inviting you to participate.  For you, there is an opportunity to learn and earn some extra income for yourself and family.  For C4K all profits made will be donated to after-school programs that support youth.

So what is this opportunity that is educational, international, on the ground floor level, and simple to replicate?  It’s the iLivingApp.  The iLivingApp is a mobile app that provides you with the opportunity to both learn and earn.  It is an up-to-date App that will feature information on professional development, personal enrichment, time management, wealth building, health, goal setting, leadership and much more.  Once you sign up yourself you then have the opportunity to share with others and have them sign up with your personal link.  When they do this, you receive the credit and earn dollars.  It is still in its beta form, so sign up while it is still very early and secure your position!  FYI, these web-apps easily connect to existing social platforms. So sign up now.
Click on iLivingApp

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Catching Up or Leading the Way—Yong Zhao A Book Review

This book was a very interesting read.  Instead of focusing solely on what’s wrong with American public education, the author instead focused in on what’s right about our system and how certain aspects of the current system need to be strengthened.  His overall premise is that while we [the United States] are trying to “standardize everything” from tests to curriculum, schedules to attitudes, one of the strengths of our current system is that it allows for individual strengths and learning to shine through.  Zhao was born in China in a small village and married a woman who had experienced urban Chinese schools.  Together they immigrated to the United States and at the time of this writing, are watching their own children attend school in the United States.  From this unique vantage point Zhao declares that “China and other nations in Asia are actually reforming their systems to be more like their American counterparts.”  He implores that what really counts is “educational excellence”. 

Zhao goes on to say that “how schools have to keep pace with a world that is being dramatically transformed by globalization, the “death of distance,” and digital technology” must be ascertained.  He suggests that “instead of falling in       line with mandates for standardization, his prescription is for educators to:                                                                

• Expand the definition of success beyond math and reading test scores.
• Personalize schooling so that every student has opportunity to learn.
• View schools as enterprises that embrace globalization and digital technology.”

In many ways, what Zhao describes is much closer to what happens in after school programs where the focus is on hands-on, experiential learning opportunities that encourage youth to work in collaborative groups, on projects that are relevant to the youth, and are just rigorous enough to be challenging but not so hard that the youth are frustrated.  Check out the C4K video entitled “Engaging Activities” by clicking on this link. Additionally, you can watch Zhao on You Tube 

  

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Youth Employment Problem

In a recent blog, the Center for Community Change referenced a recently released report, “Establishing a Foothold in the Labor Market for Young Workers Through Subsidized Jobs”, highlighting the issue of youth unemployment and under-employment.  Some facts that the blog cited were:

·         21% of African Americans ages 18-29 were unemployed in September 201

·         12.1% of Hispanics ages 18-29 were unemployed in September 2012

·         Unemployment among workers 18-29 rose to 12% in October 2012, far exceeding the overall unemployment rate.  http://www.communitychange.org//blog/post/the-youth-unemployment-problem

The solution they propose is the introduction of a subsidized job program.  We at C4K believe that this could be very beneficial for unemployed youth.  We also think that we could play a foundational part in helping to get those young people who might be going into working with children and youth to be “work-ready”.  Our comprehensive staff development system that includes written, audio and visual learning opportunities has been designed to develop content knowledge and understanding with those who participate.  The system, available 24/7, can fit right into the school schedules of these young people, and for those not in school, can help them to build the skills needed for employment.

After school and other out-of-school time positions can be a perfect fit for these young people, and since most out-of-school time programs hire from within the community they serve, this employment could be a win-win for all concerned.  Check out the following link to see what we offer:  Sample Videos

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Welcome to Healthy Heart Month

February is Healthy Heart Month.  It begins today with an invitation to everyone to wear red as a sign of solidarity around the importance of strengthening one’s heart health.  As I am sitting at my computer writing this blog several things occur to me.  First is that I should probably be up and moving around to get the blood flowing.  So, since I need to continue working, I am setting the timer on my phone so I will move at least every hour. 

The second thing that occurs to me is that while my literal, physical heart needs one sort of care, my emotional “heart” also needs some attention.  Emotionally I am blessed to do what I love most every day—work to support high quality afterschool programs for youth.  If you would have asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up 50 years ago, I would not have been able to identify my passion to be a teacher, an educator, and the caring adult in the life of a child.  But as I’ve grown older and am sitting in the space that I currently occupy, I realize that everything I’ve done is woven into a tapestry that allows me to have an impact on more youth than I could have ever imagined.   I am passionate about helping young adults recognize their full potential so they can be the positive role models and mentors for the youth that want to grow up to be “just like them”.  So when it comes to my work life, I nurture my passion every day. 

The third thing that occurs to me is that I need to regularly remember and work to achieve one of my goals for 2013 which is to spend more time away from work with family and friends.  So with that in mind, I’m going to do exactly that on this first Friday in February.  I’m going to take time to chat with my friends and colleagues, my children and grandchildren, and perhaps even read a good book.

The Entrusted Legacy Blog 

Entrusted Legacy Website

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Personally and Professionally—Are They Really Separate?

While we can probably agree that certain things we do are strictly personal or absolutely professional, it is foolish to assume that one does not inform the other.  We are each a single human being, not a compartmentalized entity with no “spill over”.  One of C4K’s success stories, Rosa commented:

I was “coached, mentored, role modeled and guided [in] turning theory discussions into real life situations. [I] learned how to lead and motivate people and help them become the best they could be. As I learned these significant skills I found myself applying them into my everyday life. I used these skills to solve my personal problems and improve my relationships with family and friends. The skills I learned in those weekly trainings I still use today. I learned many skills but the one that I use the most often is to never assume anything. Going into a conversation or any situation, always go into it open minded until you get all the information by asking questions."

The link between personal and professional growth and development in the afterschool arena is tangible, especially when those skills are focused on how to relate to youth and how to teach, support, affirm, and inspire them.  C4K was built on a Holistic System that is supported by an Individual System.  The Holistic System takes a look at the different aspects of your life and is set up to help you find harmonic balance among the many facets of your life.  The Individual System lays out a concrete plan to follow to ensure that you deal successfully with your life, holistically, from mindset to the move forward.

With that in mind, C4K has developed a comprehensive staff development system of written, audio, and visual training available to subscribers 24/7 from any computer with web access.  Check out our Mini on Goal Setting http://youtu.be/Om7DViaWxsU

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Youth Work Is Professionalizing!

In the Winter, 2013 edition of After School Today, a magazine published by the National Afterschool Association, Margo Herman published an article entitled “Youth Work is Professionalizing!”  http://www.mydigipub.com/publication/index.php?m=24931&l=1  In this article Herman acknowledges the increase in the number of “competency frameworks, certificate programs and college degrees in youth development that are increasing across the country.”  She then goes on to list the Core Competencies into ten content areas:

1.       Child and Youth Growth and Development 

2.       Learning Environment and Curriculum

3.       Child/Youth Observation and Assessment

4.       Interactions With Children and Youth

5.       Youth Engagement

6.       Cultural Competency and Responsiveness

7.       Family, School, and Community relationships

8.       Safety and wellness

9.       Program Planning and Development

10.   Professional Development and Leadership

We at C4K have long believed in the importance of strengthening afterschool programs by supporting the adults who work with youth through comprehensive staff development programs.  In fact, that is the entire purpose of our C4K website.  We believe that we have a perfect solution to providing ongoing training and staff development to those who want to work with youth in our Vocational Training and Online Instruction Systems—both of which can be tracked through a Learning Management System.  Our information and content is available 24/7 and can be accessed from any computer with web access.  We also know that with this type of training the precious face-to-face time can be spent on coaching staff to successful implementation.  Check out C4K by clicking on these link: 

 Vocational Training Video http://www.consultfourkids.com/LearnMore.aspx?id=5

 Online Instruction Video http://www.consultfourkids.com/LearnMore.aspx?id=4

Youth Work Is Professionalizing!

In the Winter, 2013 edition of After School Today, a magazine published by the National Afterschool Association, Margo Herman published an article entitled “Youth Work is Professionalizing!”  http://www.mydigipub.com/publication/index.php?m=24931&l=1  In this article Herman acknowledges the increase in the number of “competency frameworks, certificate programs and college degrees in youth development that are increasing across the country.”  She then goes on to list the Core Competencies into ten content areas:

1.       Child and Youth Growth and Development 

2.       Learning Environment and Curriculum

3.       Child/Youth Observation and Assessment

4.       Interactions With Children and Youth

5.       Youth Engagement

6.       Cultural Competency and Responsiveness

7.       Family, School, and Community relationships

8.       Safety and wellness

9.       Program Planning and Development

10.   Professional Development and Leadership

      We at C4K have long believed in the importance of strengthening afterschool programs by supporting the adults who work with youth through comprehensive staff development programs.  In fact, that is the entire purpose of our C4K website.  We believe that we have a perfect solution to providing ongoing training and staff development to those who want to work with youth in our Vocational Training and Online Instruction Systems—both of which can be tracked through a Learning Management System.  Our information and content is available 24/7 and can be accessed from any computer with web access.  We also know that with this type of training the precious face-to-face time can be spent on coaching staff to successful implementation.  Check out C4K by clicking on these link: 

  Vocational Training Video http://www.consultfourkids.com/LearnMore.aspx?id=5

 Online Instruction Video http://www.consultfourkids.com/LearnMore.aspx?id=4