I got to meet some great parents at Marana High School last night. Here's Angela with her son Jayden. Jayden is a smiling and happy little guy who enjoyed trading smiles with me at last night's open house for the Teen Parent Program.
One of our Marana neighbors, Sandy, a retired teacher, is a volunteer with the Teen Parent Program. Sandy organizes a menu and teaches a cooking class once a month for the students who are learning parenting skills right along with the standard high school curriculum. Sandy's a supporter of this program and of the young parents who often benefit from the furniture and baby clothes and other goodies that she wrangles from her friends and neighbors.
Last night's open house was a casual, get-to-know each other affair. There were moms and dads, grandmothers and grandfathers, nursing students, school and program staff, volunteers and friends of the program -- all sharing a meal and conversation at Marana High School.
Angela and Jayden remind me of my mother's work with preschoolers in Head Start for over twenty years back in Wisconsin. My mother would be so proud of Angela and the many young parents like her who, with the help and support of those around them, courageously continue their schooling.
Jayden's a lucky little guy. Strong moms and dads, lucky kids.
Copyright 2012
Wanda Hayes Eichler
sounds like an amazing program!
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