Sheila E. Sapp - The School Connection: Parents, Teachers, and School Leaders Empowering Youth for Life Success

The School Connection

Parents, Teachers, and School Leaders Empowering Youth for Life Success

Sheila E. Sapp

ROWMAN & LITTLEFIELD

Lanham Boulder New York London

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Sapp, Sheila E., author.

Title: The school connection : parents, teachers, and school leaders empowering youth for life success / Sheila E. Sapp.

Description: Lanham, Maryland : Rowman & Littlefield, 2021. | Includes bibliographical references. | Summary: The theme of the book is about the importance of collaborating and partnering among parents, schools, and community stakeholders to empower youth for life success.Provided by publisher.

Identifiers: LCCN 2020048609 (print) | LCCN 2020048610 (ebook) | ISBN 9781475854664 (cloth) | ISBN 9781475854688 (epub)

Subjects: LCSH: EducationParent participationUnited States. | Parent-teacher relationshipsUnited States. | Community and schoolUnited States. | Communication in educationUnited States.

Classification: LCC LB1048.5 .S27 2021 (print) | LCC LB1048.5 (ebook) | DDC 371.19dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020048609

LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020048610

TM The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of American National Standard for Information Sciences Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials, ANSI/NISO Z39.48-1992.

To all parents and students who passed through the doors of Woodbine and Crooked River Elementary schools during my tenure as principal. I am forever grateful for the experiences and friendships gained that helped me develop into an effective teacher, mentor, and school leader.

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6 King James Version.

Who would be better to write a book about success than one who has passionately dedicated her life to improving the lives of others? There is no doubt the author, a not-so-retired school administrator, has the knowledge, skills, and background to communicate how parents, teachers, schools, and communities can build success among our nations youth. How is that? Forty-plus years of education and experience from the classroom to a wide range of administrative positions provided opportunities for her to understand and value the parent and school connection and the expertise to define and pen this piece of work.

I have known this author, Sheila Sapp (Sheila E. Cares in her consulting business), for more than thirty years. It was always Dr. Sapp in the work world, but the friend Ive come to know is simply called Sheila. This bundle of energy was raised in New Jersey, and from the time she started learning how to help students, she hasnt stopped.

My first encounter with Sheila was in an attempt to gain a teaching position in the district in which she was an administrator. In time, we became fellow principals, and eventually I worked closely with Sheila while administering several local, state, and federal programs. Our conversations during the early years were mostly work- or task-related, but as time passed, I began to deeply appreciate the woman, both personally and professionally, who would soon become someone whose genuine aspirations, motivation, and desire to improve the lives of others was awe-inspiring.

In June of 2017, Sheila retired as an elementary school principal only to launch immediately into writing her third book, entitled Staying the Course, which was a masterful guide for aspiring and current school leaders. Sheilas social media posts and live videos demonstrate her high levels of energy and enthusiasm for life. Her inspirational quotes, as well as thought-provoking questions, are examples of her many ways of reaching out to friends, parents, former coworkers, and school personnel for the sole purpose of providing information, inspiration, and encouragement to others.

I remember leaving the hospital with my newborn. As soon as the nurse closed my car door after baby, daddy, and I were loaded, I felt an overwhelming sense of panic. I wanted the nurse to come home with me! Of course, that didnt happen. I thought I was fairly well read on the how-tos of being a new parent but wasnt prepared for many of the adventures that awaited me. This book is much like the manual I wish I had owned in those early years. It defines what is important and provides practical insights and tips for helping youth become successful in life.

Like I wanted a full-time nurse that first day at home, long ago teachers realized they needed the support of parents in order to best develop a successful learner. Sheila describes the importance and benefits of parents being engaged in their childrens education as well as the benefits of teamwork between teachers and parents. Most importantly, Sheila shares how to effectively build partnerships and meaningful engagement among parents and the school community, which lead to better attendance, grades, and school completion, as well as better socialization and fewer discipline problems. Of great benefit is her focus on parents of special needs children. Practical roles and tips for building relationships and improving roles as team members and for individual education meetings are provided.

Some of the best parts of this book are the simple tips and recommendations Sheila has created for making home settings conducive for learning; explanations of key roles; rationales for certain rules, regulations, and guidelines; following protocols; and her Power Tools for success, which focus on building self-confidence, self-esteem, resilience, and perseverance. She includes actual Power Tool games and easy-to-do instructional activities along with instructions and material lists.

Sheila Sapp has done it again! Her unwavering commitment to the success of children and youth is revealed throughout this book. Those who are committed, especially parents, to investing in the lives of our youth and who want practical, easily understandable, and implementable strategies and tips for improving the parent/teacher/school connection should read this book.

Beverly S. Strickland, EdD

Retired teacher, principal, and director of

federal programs and projects

As a recently retired educator with more than forty years of experience working directly and indirectly with parents/caregivers, the gradual decline of parental and community involvement throughout the years became a genuine concern for me. Parents have always been key influencers for their childrens attitude about learning and school. Researchers validated the impact that their support and involvement had on academic achievement and school success.

This manuscript is also a fulfillment of my long-term goal to write a resource handbook specifically designed to share information about schooling. A resource book is needed to ease the adjustment and transition of parents/caregivers who are entering the educational setting for the first time. Since involvement and family engagement are decreasing, school administrators and teachers should actively recruit parents/caregivers and community stakeholders. The skills and expertise of parents/caregivers and community stakeholders will enhance and expand schools current repertoire of resources used for school improvement.