School of Instruction

Registration Form
MS Word Document, please print, complete and send to Candy Lafferty at the address on the bottom of the form..

“Every year thousands of men and women become officers and chairmen of parent-teacher associations.  On them depends the effectiveness of parent-teacher work. Will they provide the vigorous, informed, democratic leadership that results in successful PTA action for the welfare of children and youth? A School of Instruction is a meeting designed to instruct, inform, and inspire PTA leaders. It should be attended by all of the officers of each local unit and as many chairmen as possible.

A School of Instruction should:

1. Deepen and clarify the new leader’s concepts of the parent-teacher organization and the purpose it serves in our society.

2. Help them to become aware not only of their functions as leaders, but also of their responsibility to develop leadership among those with whom they work.

3. Increase self-confidence by helping them understand the specific job and how best to do it.

4. Give them a sure, fundamental knowledge of the PTA’s program in helping members (a) to realize what resources now exist in the school and community for the benefit of children and youth; and (b) to plan what action should be taken on the community’s unmet needs.

5. Help them to appreciate that the success of any PTA activity depends on the degree to which each member becomes informed, articulate, aroused, and concerned about the unmet needs of children.

6. Stimulate them to acquire the additional information and techniques that will improve their effectiveness as leaders.

7. Acquaint them with the resources to which they can turn for help."

These statements were taken from a School of Instruction booklet published by the National Congress of Parents and Teachers in 1957.

It is remarkable that the goals stated forty-six years ago are still pertinent today! PTAs have been advocating on behalf of children for 106 years. Becoming involved in the PTA and actively working to promote the welfare of children and youth may be the most important job that we have! The School of Instruction provides a friendly, relaxed atmosphere in which PTA leaders from every school are given the information and training needed to carry on the work of the local PTA unit. We hope that your PTA is making plans for your newly elected officers and chairs to attend the SMAC PTA School of Instruction on May 7. Shawnee Mission Area Council PTA’s goal is to assist all of the local units in every way possible. We want the School of Instruction to be one of our finest contributions to the work of parents and teachers.

Candy Lafferty,
School of Instruction Chair