Self-AdvocacySpeaking 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

OverviewKnow 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 AdvocacyBottom Line:

We WANT to hear and understand you

You HAVE the responsibility to speak for your self

(Nobody is a mind reader)

Self AdvocacyKnow Your Resources

Know Your Rights

Know Your (SMART) Goals

Know Your Audience

(Welcome to Big Kid school)