        |
|
"LEADER" On-line: Vol. 5, No. 1 |
 |
Getting the whole community involved in parenting education For over 10 years the community of Thunder Bay, Ontario, has enjoyed the dedicated leadership of many parent education leaders. From the late '80s to the present, the Catholic Family Development Centre has had an incredible cooperative influence on the community. In the beginning Anne-Marie van Brunt was instrumental in bringing together leaders who gave many hours of their time to offer Active Parenting courses. She was able to build a team of parent educators including Dave Bass, Louise Blake, Kathleen Rancourt and Diana Prairie as Associate Trainers. Cooperation is the key, especially when leaders are recruited from different organizations. Initially van Brunt spearheaded the parenting program in her agency, and with the help of Dave Bass it expanded to the schools, daycares and social agencies. "Anne-Marie was the conductor on the train who said, 'All Aboard!'" explains Bass, an elementary teacher in the Lakehead School Board. "Her dedicated perseverance allowed many leaders and families to benefit." Bass approached Casey Gehrels, Superintendent of Schools, who was then in charge of the Responsible and Safe Schools Task Force. They took leadership and put the child in the middle to receive the benefits of all the community cooperation and Active Parenting. To get started, the committee sponsored a Leader Training Workshop led by Bass to increase the number of trained leaders in the area. Since then Active Parenting programs have been offered in many schools, day cares, and family support agencies throughout the area. Bass feels very positive about what Active Parenting has done for him and his community. He says it has become a way of life that helps educators and parents to take on their parenting job with humor and dedication. David Bass is available to conduct Leader Training Workshops and can be contacted at 807-623-5691.
|
 |
 |
  |