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Empowering the Adult Educator

Empowering the Adult Educator PRESIDENT’S PODIUM 0 ften we, as adult educa- professionalization. sortium-is devoted to the tenet efforts. Finally, he asked his son, tors, become so consumed with “Are you using all your strength?” Another key factor in the that we need not only to promote empowering the adult learner; “Yes, I am,” the boy cried, empowerment of adult educators lifelong learning but to practice it that we don’t think enough through the professionalization ourselves. exasperated. “No,” the father said about empowering ourselves. Another very important way calmly, “you’re not. You haven‘t of the field is staQdevelopment. There are many ways to asked me to help you.” Adult educators need to take to empower ourselves as adult empower adult educators. Per- advantage of as many staff devel- educators is to become more That story suggests my last recommendation for increasing haps first and foremost in my opment opportunities as finances politically active-more politi- mind is pmfessimalizing our empowerment-that is to identify and time allow. cally proactive, not just reactive field. When some 80 percent of a mentor or serve as a mentor. Staff development is increas- as we often are. We can do this adult educators work part-time at Mentoring forms the basis behind ingly recognized as vital to teach- in several ways and at several jobs for which they receive rela- ing effectiveness and feelings of levels. the new board orientation that tively low wages and little respect AAACE has found so effective for empowerment. The final report At the most local, personal and acknowledgment, it’s under- the past two years. of the Project on Adult Literacy, level, actively support the cam- standably difficult for them to My recommendations for in- lump Start, stated that, “No area paigns of school board mem- feel like professionals. creasing the empowerment of of human endeavor can succeed bers who are knowledgeable Part of the solution is to without an investment com- adult educators fall within three about or at least open enough increase salaries to the point that ponent to keep it current with categories of activity: (1) actively to be supportive of adult adult educators don’t have to supporting the professionalization state-of-the-art.” It recommends education. hold two jobs to pay their bills. of our field exemplified by using that all federal lqslation that Write or visit (preferably both) We need to support moves to provides substantial support for professional pay scales to com- your state representatives and empower adult educators through basic skills instruction should be pensate adult educators, working senators to ask for their sup- the professionalization of the field. amended to remove any restric- toward voluntary professional port for adult and continuing This can be accomplished through tions on what portion of state certification, and emphasizing the education legislation in your both short-term and long-term grants may be spent for improv- importance of and supporting state. plans and actions. ing the quality of instruction by stafflprofessional development; Write or visit (preferably both) In the short term, we need to teacher training. It also recom- (2) becoming more politically your U.S. senators and repre- identify those competencies that proactive; and (3) identifying or mended that the federai government sentatives regarding adult and are critical to being an effective match state and local investments serving as a mentor. continuing education legisla- adult educator in each of the in teacher training. The bottom line of all my sug- tion at the federal level. many specialized areas of our gestions for increasing the Staff development can take profession. In the long term, we various forms including attending empowerment of the adult edu- AAACE has a very active, effec- need to move toward voluntary formal staff development work- cator is to become active-in tive Legislative Network, professional certification in adult shops; attending local, state, your own and others’ profes- chaired by Patty Keeton education-an activity that regional, and national confer- sional development, in politics, -use it! Being able to say thal belongs under the auspices of ences; and reading professional in your state and national associa- you are part of the largest AAACE. Because I see this as a publications like Adult Learning, tion. By becoming active, you association devoted exclusively long-term goal, I appointed the Adult Education Quurterb and empower yourself, which in to representing and serving the Long-Range Planning Committee, AAACE’s pamphlets to stay cur- turn, empowers your organiza- needs and interests of all adult chaired by Judy AIamprese. rent. Not coincidentally, one tion, which in turn, gives you and continuing educators gives AAACE pamphlet in progress is even more power and influence. One of the committee’s tasks you the power and strength of on staff development. It is being When thought of in such a way, was to look at the issue of volun- numbers-thirty-five hundred written by Marc Potish, a the term, “More power to the tary professional certification for adult educators strong! respected leader in the area of adult educator” takes on a posi- our field. In addition, one of the The last method that I will dis- staff development and a former tive double meaning! A two juntos at the AAACE confer- cuss by which to empower your- AAACE board member. ence in Atlantic City next month self and other adult educators is. More Power to the Adult Many of AAACE’s special inter- will be “The Role of the Profes- exemplified by the following est units provide excellent profes- Educator! ! sional Association in the Profes- short story: sionalization of Adult Education.” sional development opportunities One day a small boy was try- Junto Chairs Susan lmel and through conferences, publica- tions, and networking. One unit ing to lift a heavy stone, but he Connie Richhorn selected the -the National Adult Basic Edu- couldn’t budge it. His father, Junto topics; Judy Alamprese will be the leader of the Junto on cation Staff Development Con- passing by, stopped to watch his -by Wne SbeUon 8 A Adult Learning http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Adult Learning SAGE

Empowering the Adult Educator

Shelton, Elaine
Adult Learning , Volume 1 (1): 1 – Sep 1, 1989
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SAGE
Copyright
© 1989 American Association for Adult and Continuing Education
ISSN
1045-1595
eISSN
2162-4070
DOI
10.1177/104515958900100102
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Abstract

PRESIDENT’S PODIUM 0 ften we, as adult educa- professionalization. sortium-is devoted to the tenet efforts. Finally, he asked his son, tors, become so consumed with “Are you using all your strength?” Another key factor in the that we need not only to promote empowering the adult learner; “Yes, I am,” the boy cried, empowerment of adult educators lifelong learning but to practice it that we don’t think enough through the professionalization ourselves. exasperated. “No,” the father said about empowering ourselves. Another very important way calmly, “you’re not. You haven‘t of the field is staQdevelopment. There are many ways to asked me to help you.” Adult educators need to take to empower ourselves as adult empower adult educators. Per- advantage of as many staff devel- educators is to become more That story suggests my last recommendation for increasing haps first and foremost in my opment opportunities as finances politically active-more politi- mind is pmfessimalizing our empowerment-that is to identify and time allow. cally proactive, not just reactive field. When some 80 percent of a mentor or serve as a mentor. Staff development is increas- as we often are. We can do this adult educators work part-time at Mentoring forms the basis behind ingly recognized as vital to teach- in several ways and at several jobs for which they receive rela- ing effectiveness and feelings of levels. the new board orientation that tively low wages and little respect AAACE has found so effective for empowerment. The final report At the most local, personal and acknowledgment, it’s under- the past two years. of the Project on Adult Literacy, level, actively support the cam- standably difficult for them to My recommendations for in- lump Start, stated that, “No area paigns of school board mem- feel like professionals. creasing the empowerment of of human endeavor can succeed bers who are knowledgeable Part of the solution is to without an investment com- adult educators fall within three about or at least open enough increase salaries to the point that ponent to keep it current with categories of activity: (1) actively to be supportive of adult adult educators don’t have to supporting the professionalization state-of-the-art.” It recommends education. hold two jobs to pay their bills. of our field exemplified by using that all federal lqslation that Write or visit (preferably both) We need to support moves to provides substantial support for professional pay scales to com- your state representatives and empower adult educators through basic skills instruction should be pensate adult educators, working senators to ask for their sup- the professionalization of the field. amended to remove any restric- toward voluntary professional port for adult and continuing This can be accomplished through tions on what portion of state certification, and emphasizing the education legislation in your both short-term and long-term grants may be spent for improv- importance of and supporting state. plans and actions. ing the quality of instruction by stafflprofessional development; Write or visit (preferably both) In the short term, we need to teacher training. It also recom- (2) becoming more politically your U.S. senators and repre- identify those competencies that proactive; and (3) identifying or mended that the federai government sentatives regarding adult and are critical to being an effective match state and local investments serving as a mentor. continuing education legisla- adult educator in each of the in teacher training. The bottom line of all my sug- tion at the federal level. many specialized areas of our gestions for increasing the Staff development can take profession. In the long term, we various forms including attending empowerment of the adult edu- AAACE has a very active, effec- need to move toward voluntary formal staff development work- cator is to become active-in tive Legislative Network, professional certification in adult shops; attending local, state, your own and others’ profes- chaired by Patty Keeton education-an activity that regional, and national confer- sional development, in politics, -use it! Being able to say thal belongs under the auspices of ences; and reading professional in your state and national associa- you are part of the largest AAACE. Because I see this as a publications like Adult Learning, tion. By becoming active, you association devoted exclusively long-term goal, I appointed the Adult Education Quurterb and empower yourself, which in to representing and serving the Long-Range Planning Committee, AAACE’s pamphlets to stay cur- turn, empowers your organiza- needs and interests of all adult chaired by Judy AIamprese. rent. Not coincidentally, one tion, which in turn, gives you and continuing educators gives AAACE pamphlet in progress is even more power and influence. One of the committee’s tasks you the power and strength of on staff development. It is being When thought of in such a way, was to look at the issue of volun- numbers-thirty-five hundred written by Marc Potish, a the term, “More power to the tary professional certification for adult educators strong! respected leader in the area of adult educator” takes on a posi- our field. In addition, one of the The last method that I will dis- staff development and a former tive double meaning! A two juntos at the AAACE confer- cuss by which to empower your- AAACE board member. ence in Atlantic City next month self and other adult educators is. More Power to the Adult Many of AAACE’s special inter- will be “The Role of the Profes- exemplified by the following est units provide excellent profes- Educator! ! sional Association in the Profes- short story: sionalization of Adult Education.” sional development opportunities One day a small boy was try- Junto Chairs Susan lmel and through conferences, publica- tions, and networking. One unit ing to lift a heavy stone, but he Connie Richhorn selected the -the National Adult Basic Edu- couldn’t budge it. His father, Junto topics; Judy Alamprese will be the leader of the Junto on cation Staff Development Con- passing by, stopped to watch his -by Wne SbeUon 8 A Adult Learning

Journal

Adult Learning – SAGE

Published: Sep 1, 1989

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