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Teaching the Educated
John Carroll University Professor Susan Turben explains the tactics used that have brought her national recognition.
"We live in a very adult-centered society, different than a large portion of the world. We don't prioritize our children's needs. It's adults needs that get met."
Susan Turben Recipient of "Teacher of Teachers"Award.
Susan Turben of Kirtland Hills spends much of her time learning how families from other cultures raise their children, the job she considers most important in the world.
"we really can learn from each other," said Turben, who specializes in teaching families, teachers and agency service providers how to handle this most critical of occupations.
She is the recipient of the "Teacher of Teachers Award" from the National Association for the Education of Young Children. A professor at John Carroll University for seven years, Turben's graduate students nominated her for the award.
She has collected a wealth of knowledge and is educating parents on how to do the job they are called upon to do, often with no prior training.
Her strategies develop the attitudes, values and skills that parents and teachers need to have in order to successfully guide and assist families in helping children achieve their potential.
Turben is lenient, nonviolent, peaceful parent educator as well as a social advocate, developmental specialist and trainer. She sticks to three fundamental axioms.
"There's no one way to raise kids and no right way other than no hit, no yell, no strap," Turben said. "I will show another way."
Turben could be one of the only people with the title of doctor who still makes house calls - at no charge. She does about 60 percent of her work pro b ono, making enough to keep her family practice gong by giving several workshops and seminars a year.
She is a big believer in collaboration.
"I think it sends a really strong message to parents that they can't do it alone. They can't raise kids by themselves. Everybody needs a friend," Turben said.
That's how Turben thinks of herself - as a friend. Her master's in education and doctoral degrees in early childhood and special education qualify er as much more than just a friend.
"I wear a lot of hats. The reason I can do so many thins is because I'm focused on family-centered care," Turben said. "It means that the family is in charge and I'm just the helper. I don't tell someone what they need."
While she will try to answer the questions a family has, she asks them what they want to focus on first; issues, priorities or concerns.
Turben says there is no excuse for a 3 or 4 year old child to kicked out of preschool. There is a reason for this new trend.
"The family has changed. Women are going to work much sooner after their children are born," she said. ""We live in a very adult-centered society, different than a large portion of the world. We don't prioritize our children's needs. It's adults' needs that get met."
Penn O'Brien, of Chardon, and her daughters think the world of Turben.
O'Brien turned to Turben when she thought one of her daughters wa having problems. IT turned out that er daughters was just experiencing normal developmental changes. During this time, O'Brien's husband died.
"She gave a sense of peace about how the kids wee feeling and helped me explain things to them," O'Brien said.
Lindsey O'Brien, 7, thinks Turben is "really nice,"
"Susan teaches people how not to be so angry," Lindsey said.
In addition to the families she has helped, numerous other people think she is pretty special.
Turben taught most of the maters's classes taken at John Carroll by Amy Fanning of South Euclid. A preschool teacher at Gesu Catholic School in University Heights, Fanning says she brings what she learned from Turben everywhere she goes.
"Dr. Turben give a lot of credibility to the profession because she doesn't just teach it, she lives it," Fanning said.
Another honor, the Women of Achievement Award, was presented to Turben from the Women's Center at Lakeland Community College in Kirtland. She didn't feel she deserved the award.
"I was so stunned," she said. "It was the nicest thing I've ever received. It was just so nice to be recognized by the community I live in."
Her friend and neighbor, Kirtland Hills Police Chief Jerry Smith, also gives Turben high marks.
"She is very dedicated and committed to her work with regards to children and families," Smith said.
Her husband, Kirtland Hills Mayor Jack Turben, agrees with Smith.
"Nobody gives more of herself to the community and the families she serves more than Susie does," the mayor said.
Turben is author of the Good Information Child Development Videos, a series of family centered tapes for families and professionals on how to strengthen family life.
For more information about Turben's child-centered approach or to order her videos, visit. www.turben.com, email the doctor at susan@turben.com or call Turben Developmental Services at 216-593-2133.
"I think my information is great. I want people to have it so they ca make a choice. I want them to know why not to spank and why kids need both home schooling from parents and public schooling."
Free Parenting Videos by Dr. Susan Turben
Order one or both of Dr. Susan Turben's Free Parenting Videos today. Available on DVD and VHS.
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