Parents as Leaders

Cross Cultural Communication: Bringing Diverse Groups Together Facilitated by Wenonah Valentine, MBA

Saturday, March 6, 2010Edison Elementary School

Altadena, CA 91001

Learning Objectives

1.Asking the right questions.2.Engaging in meaningful

conversation.3.Framing language around common

ground.

Generational Lense

Parent Leaders

Baby Boomer

Generation X

Millennials

Culture

“Approach every person as a human, not as culture. Everyone comes with an imprint. And I want to know about your family instead of lumping people together.”

Who Am I?• Born in Guyana, South

America• Lived in U.S. 5 years• English-speaking• Single mother with 13-

year old and 10-year old children.

• Community college student and employed

• Generation X (b. 1963-1980)

Who Am I?• Born in Mexico• Lived in U.S. 7 years• Children are

American citizens• English learner• Married • Involved in children’s

school• Millennial (b. 1981-

2002)

Volunteering

“We were the people who solved problems for the benefit of the school with the principal at the table.”

Who Are We?

• White couple, married no children

• African American, unmarried with 16-year-old son

• Scholars• Research interest in

families and children• Generation X (b. 1963-

1980)

Who Are We?

• African American• Married• Grandmothers• Community

advocates• Baby Boomer (b.

1946-1962)

Assumptions

“Making mistakes and being corrected comes along with the territory…especially when you do not have a clue about cultural nuances. Encourage the conversation and provide an educational experience.”

Who Am I?• African American • Single• Speak 3 languages• Teaches English as

foreign language• 2nd generation

college graduate• Born to unmarried

parents • Generation X (b.

1963-1980)

Who Am I?

• African American• Unmarried, single

mother with 2 children

• B.A. Candidate• Entrepreneur• Millennial (b.

1981-2002)

Parenting

“There is no color when it comes to parenting. We want the best for our children. We support and value and celebrate our culture and language. But when it comes to our children, we have the same interest.”

Shared Leadership

Parents

Opportunity to learn

Global history

Gratitude

Resources

Opportunity to service

Marketable skills

Wisdom/mentoring

Regional Culture

Data Sources

Quotes:• Slide 4: Jack E. Turman, Jr., PhD• Slide 7: Peggy Sisson, MA• Slide 10: Peggy Sisson, MA and Gloria

Sanchez-Rico, RN, MBA• Slide 13: Teri Knowlton, RNPhotography:• PBP Archives