Our biases can be dangerous, even deadly — as we've seen in the cases of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, and Eric Garner, in Staten Island, New York. Diversity advocate Vernā Myers looks closely at some of the subconscious attitudes we hold toward out-groups. She makes a plea to all people: Acknowledge your biases. Then move toward, not away from, the groups that make you uncomfortable. In a funny, impassioned, important talk, she shows us how.

Parents as Teachers helps organizations and professionals work with parents during the critical early years of their children's lives, from conception to kindergarten—and the results are powerful.

We develop curricula. Grounded in the latest research, Parents as Teachers develops curricula that support a parent’s role in promoting school readiness and healthy development of children. Our approach is intimate and relationship-based. We embrace learning experiences that are relevant and customized for the individual needs of each family and child. As a result, individuals and organizations who use our curricula benefit from our understanding of the evolving needs of today’s families and children.

We train professionals. Our organization is successful only when those we support are able to effectively meet the needs of the children and families they serve. Leading health, education and social service organizations and professionals seek out Parents as Teachers curricula and training because of its flexibility to easily integrate with other services they provide. We know our partners serve broad and diverse populations, so our training addresses the developmental needs of any child, including those most vulnerable. We offer providers practical, hands-on applications for parents in real-world situations.

We advocate for children and families. We are a champion for early intervention and parental involvement and serve as a unified voice for early childhood education and healthy child development. We raise awareness and shape policy around evidence-based practices that support the importance of enhancing school readiness by reaching children during the critical, formative years of life.

We set high standards. Our commitment to research and quality drives our organization. We are committed to evidenced-based research in order to offer the most relevant information and tools to early childhood development and education providers. The efforts of our work help our partners positively impact children during their most critical, early years of life.

To Find Out More About Parents As Teachers in Kirkwood

Parents as Teachers
Phone: 314-213-6137
Office hours: Mon.-Thurs. 9:00a-2:00p
Kirkwood Early Childhood Center
100 N. Sappington Rd.,
Kirkwood, MO 63122
Web: http://kecc.kirkwoodschools.org/pages/Kirkwood_Early_Childhood/Parents_as_Teachers

Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States.  Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19th that the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free. Note that this was two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation - which had become official January 1, 1863. The Emancipation Proclamation had little impact on the Texans due to the minimal number of Union troops to enforce the new Executive Order. However, with the surrender of General Lee in April of 1865, and the arrival of General Granger’s regiment, the forces were finally strong enough to influence and overcome the resistance.

Today, Juneteenth is enjoying a phenomenal growth rate within communities and organizations throughout the country. Institutions such as the Smithsonian, the Henry Ford Museum and others have begun sponsoring Juneteenth-centered activities. In recent years, a number of local and national Juneteenth organizations have arisen to take their place along side older organizations - all with the mission to promote and cultivate knowledge and appreciation of African American history and culture.

Juneteenth today, celebrates African American freedom and achievement, while encouraging continuous self-development and respect for all cultures. As it takes on a more national, symbolic and even global perspective, the events of 1865 in Texas are not forgotten, for all of the roots tie back to this fertile soil from which a national day of pride is growing.

The future of Juneteenth looks bright as the number of cities and states creating Juneteenth committees continues to increase. Respect and appreciation for all of our differences grow out of exposure and working together. Getting involved and supporting Juneteenth celebrations creates new bonds of friendship and understanding among us. This indeed, brightens our future!

Source: http://www.juneteenth.com/history.htm