What are Natural Leaders?
Natural Leaders are families at schools that were identified as warm, caring, social individuals to be the bridge between families/community and schools. They are multi-cultural individuals recruited and trained by Edmonds Community College Family Support Studies Program. They are leaders in their community that work as a team with family advocates, family support centers, and school staff to:
- Build relationships with families
- Listen to families’ ideas on how to help their children be successful in school
- Bring families and schools together to plan/implement the families’ ideas
Why are Natural Leaders Needed?
Research shows that academic success is related to the quality of instruction/learning environment, but an equally large part of the success is due to family engagement in their children’s education.
Many schools have difficulty building relationships with families that are English language learners, immigrants, and/or refugees.
Natural Leaders are able to speak their language, understand their culture and past experiences, and provide warm, welcoming arms to their school communities.
Academic Success=
High Quality Instruction/Learning Environments
+ Parent Engagement
What Families Are Saying About Natural Leaders
“We like the constant support from each one of our Natural Leaders.”
“It is a benefit having people that speak our language and they can communicate frequently with us and therefore, we feel much more comfortable and trust them.”
“I believe I don’t have the words to express myself but I want to give you the thanks for all your help and for all you have done for us.”
“They make us feel very good. They give us confidence and kindness.”
“With the simple act that they give, they give us the confidence and trust that everyone desires to have. Also, for our language and that we always hear the necessary information.”
“I like the Spanish phone line, the family meetings, and homework club for the students.”
“We feel happy that we can count on the Natural Leaders who highly regard us as important.”
“We are happy to know that we will continue to receive support and even more than last year. We hope to excel, move forward, and help in whatever way we can.”
The Natural Leaders project has been made possible by the generous support of:
- Children’s Home Society PIRC Grant
- Edmonds, Everett, Northshore, and Shoreline School Districts and PTSA’s
- King County Child and Family Commission
- Northshore/Shoreline Health and Safety Network
- OSPI, Readiness to Learn
- Washington Council for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect
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