Advisory and AdvocacyEMD 335 | Newberry College

Advisory and Advocacy

• Recognize purpose and characteristics of an effective advisory program.• Identify appropriate ideas for advisory in your context. • Describe the qualities you have and you need to develop to be a good

advisor and/or advocate.

Every student’s academic and personal development is guided by an adult advocate.

TWBA (2012)pp. 145-157

Rishel, T. J. (2007). “Suicide, Schools, and the Young Adolescent” in Mertens, S. B., et al. (Eds.), The young adolescent and the middle school, pp. 297-322. Charlotte, NC: Information Age Publishing Inc.

Why?

Advisory

The heart of a successful advisory program is the

development of a trustful, caring

community in which students perceive their

advisor as demonstrating unconditional support for

their growth. - Knowles & Brown, 2000

Attributes of advisory programs

• One staff member responsible for small group • Regularly scheduled meetings• Ongoing individual conferences between

advisor and advisees• Administrative support for advisory activities• Parent contact with the school or team

through advisor• An adult advocate for every student

More importantly, advisory…• is a process and a relationship (not necessarily

a curriculum).• establishes rapport between all members.• models practices students can internalize and

use with others over a lifetime. • establishes a continuity of caring over a

student’s middle school years. • is about life, not academics, paperwork, or

test scores.

What are some good ideas for advisory activities?

What are some not so good ideas for advisory activities?

TWBA Video Clips

Adult Advocate

“Focus Group”“Ice Fishing” “Community Liaison”“Looping” “Safe Environment”

Activity #1From the associated reading (pp. 145-157) in TWBA, list three big ideas that would make advisory in your context more effective.

Is advisory the place to teach students morals and/or ethics?

How are teachers providing moral education

these days?

Historically, teachers are expected to teach ethics

and/or morality.

Traditional inculcation individual analysis

Models of Moral Education

• Values Clarification

• Character Education

• Service Learning/Community Service

• Comprehensive Values Education

But remember, advisory…• is a process and a relationship (not necessarily

a curriculum).• establishes rapport between all members.• models practices students can internalize and

use with others over a lifetime. • establishes a continuity of caring over a

student’s middle school years. • is about life, not academics, paperwork, or

test scores.

AdvocacyThe particular role that middle level educators play as active supporters of and intercessors for young adolescents. While each student should have an adult who is primarily responsible for the academic and personal growth of that individual, advocacy should be inherent in the school’s culture and in shared responsibility.

- Lounsbury & Brazee, 2004

The heart of advocacy is…

the notion that students are known and know they are known.

What does it mean to advocate?

What qualities do you need to be a great advisor or advocate?

• The ability to listen • Understanding of young

adolescents and their needs• A sense of humor • Openness and a non-

judgmental perspective • Positive attitude• Self-confidence and clear

boundaries

Activity #2Thinking about the reading, associated videos, and the material in this presentation, what already makes you a good advisor and/or advocate? What can you do to make yourself better?

What’s next?