Learning Community Dad shares perspective at national conference
Andre Adams joined the Learning Community presentation at the National Center for Families Learning Conference. He is a volunteer leader in Parent University and was one of the very first to become a member.
School-family partnerships are the key focus area as the Learning Community of Douglas and Sarpy Counties presents at the National Families Learning Conference in Tuscon, Arizona. The conference draws educators and program staff from across the country to learn and share best practice guidelines.
Andre Adams, a Parent University father is one of six Learning Community presenters. Adams was one of the first to sign up for free Parent University courses in the Learning Community Center of North Omaha. The weekly class sessions help parents and children succeed together. Class enrollment has doubled to more than 200 families over the last eighteen months. Adams admits to being a little nervous about taking the stage at a big conference, but wanted to share his story. Andre is a program leader and member of the Parent University Advisory Council.
Building powerful partnerships to improve a child’s learning starts with families.
Adams joins Varnita Jarmon, Conestoga Magnet School principal, Omaha Public Schools; Nicole Looper; early childhood specialist; Barb Jackson, evaluator, UNMC-Munroe Meyer Institute; Jamalia Parker, director of family engagement, Learning Community and Renee Franklin, executive director of elementary learning, Learning Community.
Parent University now welcomes families from the attendance areas of six elementary schools surrounding the Learning Community Center of North Omaha, 1612 N. 24th St. It is part of the Early Childhood Partnership launched in 2013 to improve learning opportunities in neighborhoods with some of the highest poverty rates in the Omaha metro region. Independent evaluations show that the two-generational approach is making a strong and measurable difference for children and families. Outcomes also show that Omaha Public Schools early childhood teachers in the program are in the top ten percent of Headstart programs nationwide.
