Self-Advocacy Speaking up for yourself because no one else will. Or Welcome to Big Kid school—time to start acting like one.

Possible Uses of Self-Advocacy Get help in class—especially after the teacher just answered your question, but you still didn’t understand… Getting make-up work or other outside of class assignments Asking for a bit more time or a modified assignment or a specific accommodation Anti-bullying stance

Overview Know Your Resources Know Your Rights Know Your Goals Know Your Audience

Know Your Resources Greatest Resource: You Parents Other Students Counselors Teachers Syllabus and Class Notes A history of successes in class

Know Your Rights Read the Handbook! “Rights” have “Responsibilities” Make-Up Work—Check with the Teacher Attendance Designation—24 Hour Limit Class Withdrawal—“F” after the deadline Bullying—not allowed & taken seriously Search and Seizure—allowed for safety

Know Your Goals What do you really want your teacher to do with your grade? Is it possible? Teachers can’t do everything! Is it fair? (for the teacher and other students) Is it reasonable? Is it consistent with what the teacher does with other students? Is it important?

Know Your Goals SMART Goals –Specific—detailed description of what should be accomplished –Meaningful—must be something you really want (not willing or wanting to settle for something less) –Action-Oriented—you have specific steps/action that you and your audience need to do—see “Specific” –Realistic—what you want must be do-able. Are you willing to do your part? Are you asking too much from another person –Timely—set a timetable to identify “success”

Know Your Audience Teachers really want you to succeed Counselors really care about your wellbeing Administrators really seek what’s best for you (and everyone else) Parents really love you Friends…well your on you own on that one

Know Your Audience No Rants No Threats No Whining or Tantrums No Tears

Know Your Audience No Rants No Threats No Whining or Tantrums No Tears (with me especially)

Know Your Audience No Rants No Threats No Whining or Tantrums No Tears No Timidity No False Humility No False Praise

Know Your Audience Speak up Look us in the eye Smile Allow for us to be the humans that we are— we all make mistakes and we are glad to correct them (usually) See the issue from the other side/sides—it will help you with word choices

Know Your Audience Ask clarifying questions (not “set up”) Try again if necessary (regroup first) Be willing to accept “no” —that’s part of asking (“yes,” “no,” “maybe”) —listen for the reasoning (it’ll come in handy later when you want to speak up for some other cause) —receive a “no” as legitimate interaction —don’t think of “no” as an argument or attack

Sample “Mr. Kierstead. May I speak to you about my Speech assignment?” “Sure, Norman” “You have me scheduled for going first tomorrow. I’d like to go after Norma.” “How does Norma feel about that?” “I don’t know.” “Check with her and let me know.”

Sample “Mr. Kierstead, Norma and I would like to talk to you about the Speech tomorrow.” “Sure. What can I do for you?” “Would it be OK for Norman and me to switch spots? I’ll go first, then he can go after me.” “Any reason in particular?” “Well Norma wants to get the speech over with and I want to have some time to collect myself.”

Sample “Sounds reasonable. Sure. Please remind me about the change if I don’t have it written down when you come to class.” “Thanks, Mr. Kierstead.” “No problem. Is there anything else I can do for you?” “No. That’s all.” “See you tomorrow.”

Self Advocacy Bottom Line: We WANT to hear and understand you You HAVE the responsibility to speak for your self (Nobody is a mind reader)

Self Advocacy Know Your Resources Know Your Rights Know Your (SMART) Goals Know Your Audience (Welcome to Big Kid school)