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Posted by Khadijah Ali-Coleman Sep 28, 2006 |
Regardless of where you are located, I implore you, if you are a youth worker professional, to become acclimated to doing your research. Youth workers nowadays don't all have degrees in education or have classroom experience. A lot, if not most, of the professionals who work with children are those who have educational backgrounds in varied fields, but have a passion with working with young people. And, we appreciate you.
What is critical, though, is that, regardless of your background, you remain relevant to the young people you serve by staying on top of what it is you need to know. Are you a bit rusty when it comes to ways to energize a room of young people or are you unfamiliar with psychological terms that may apply to different developmental stages young people are experiencing? It's okay-- initially-- but ultimately, its up to you to get schooled in the areas that matter.
Unprepared youth workers often are of little help to young people who deserve support and attention to the particulars of their development experience. Seek, don't run away from, the training and information that can aid you in doing the best job you can.
Suggested internet searches:
Advancing Youth Development Theory
Psychosocial Development
Classroom Management
Resiliency
Mandatory Reporting Laws
Professional Boundaries
Youth Worker Standards
Good Luck!