They start calling my name (on being a Valued Youth program tutor) – Podcast Episode 135 | Classnotes Podcast 135

Classnotes Podcast (February 27, 2014) As the struggle to keep many young people in school continues to face educators, parents and communities around the country, one successful initiative, the IDRA Valued Youth Partnership program celebrates its 30th anniversary this year as a leader in dropout prevention. Educators from across the country joined us for a two-day National Teacher Coordinator Institute where they reviewed the impact of the program on tutors, tutees, parents, families and campuses, as well as share challenges, learnings, highlights, and look to future innovations that will positively shape the program and its outcomes. In this podcast episode, we share with you highlights from presentations by former tutors during the anniversary reception. First in a dramatic presentation called, “When the kids see us coming, they start calling my name,” by Pablo López, followed by recent tutors read excerpts from essays written by other tutors over the years about how the program has affected them and their tutees.

The excerpts were selected by distinguished authors San Antonio Poet Laureate, Carmen Tafolla, Texas State Poet Laureate, Rosemary Catacalos and author, historian, and retired educator, J. Gilberto Quezada. This is followed by Mr. Pablo Lopez, who was a Valued Youth tutor 20 years ago, as he poignantly shares the impact the program has had on him and his life. A brief intro is provided by Bradley Scott, Ph.D. director of the IDRA South Central Collaborative for Equity, and master of ceremonies for the reception.

Note: In 2019, the program name changed from “IDRA Coca-Cola Valued Youth Program” to “IDRA Valued Youth Partnership.”

Show length: 12:56

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Resources

IDRA Valued Youth Partnership program – Overview of the program and its philosophy, research-based design, program elements, evaluation design, recognition and awards, and getting started at your school.

Continuities – Lessons for the Future of Education from the IDRA Coca-Cola Valued Youth Program
In 2009, IDRA celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Coca-Cola Valued Youth Program, an empirically-tested dropout prevention program implemented in 550 schools in the continental United States, Puerto Rico, Brazil and the United Kingdom. Anchored in this transnational experience, Continuities – Lessons for the Future of Education from the IDRA Coca-Cola Valued Youth Program, vividly captures seven key lessons for improving the quality of education for all students. Hear the voices of youth, teachers, family members and program leaders and learn why valuing youth is at the heart of school transformation.

Valued Youth Program Student Essays

Coca-Cola Valued Youth Program – Strengthening Student Connections with School
by Linda Cantú, Ph.D., IDRA Newsletter
http://www.idra.org/resource-center/coca-cola-valued-youth-program-strengthening-student-connections-with-school/

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Show Notes

  • “When the kids see us coming, they start calling my name,” recent tutors read excerpts from essays written by other tutors over the years about how the program has affected them and their tutees.

  • Mr. Pablo Lopez, who was a Coca-Cola Valued Youth Program tutor 20 years ago, shares the impact the program has had on him and his life.