Assignment:
Discussion: Personal Relationships In "The Power of Personal Relationships" and "Hearts and Minds," Thomas Mawhinney, Laura Sagan, and Steven Wolk extol the benefits of personal relationships between professionals and the children and adolescents with whom they work. As described in these Learning Resources, positive, warm, caring personal relationships are an essential ingredient in the efforts of professionals to motivate young people and guide them toward favorable academic and social outcomes. At the same time, the authors acknowledge that cultivating such relationships can be challenging, given the political and legal climate that governs professions in the field of school-age and adolescent development.
In this Discussion, you will consider the extent to which professionals should reach out to children and adolescents on a personal level. Reflect on the following:
•What are the benefits of professionals forging personal relationships with young people? What are the risks or challenges? Do you think one outweighs the other?
•Given your thoughts regarding the questions above, to what extent do you think professionals should forge personal relationships with the children and adolescents with whom they work?
•Is it possible for professionals to be personally invested and connected with the children and adolescents with whom they work, yet also maintain a professional distance? With these thoughts in mind, follow the instructions below to post your response to this Discussion topic.
Referance Needed to Do the Assignment
Article: Mawhinney, T. S., & Sagan, L. L. (2007). The power of personal relationships. Phi Delta Kappan, 88(6), 460-464.
Article: Wolk, S. (2003). Hearts and minds. Educational Leadership, 61(1), 14-18.