ACTIONN VOICES

Annie Dean, Professional Teacher, Grows From Home Visits

  Over the past year I visited over 50 families with the Parent Teacher Home Visit Project.  Colleagues and I visited nearly entire classes! Home visits generated lots of excitement; students were proud and confident as they announced, “You're coming to MY house today!” 

   Classroom communities flourished and even shy students opened up after visits. I enjoyed a deeper relationship with students; I could ask more meaningful questions because I had the family context as a resource. 

   Each family has a unique story to tell. Still, common themes emerged as we conducted home visits and began to see parents as true partners in education.

  All valued education. Many parents came to this country to give their children the educational opportunities they did not have in Mexico. All were grateful for teachers. 

   One father was deeply honored when we arrived; a teacher had visited him in Mexico when he was a child. It was a fond memory and he was glad his daughter would remember the day her teacher came to visit. When asked about his hopes and dreams for his children, another father answered, “I want my children to have good jobs. Jobs they enjoy. And I hope they give back to the country that has given them so much.” 

   Home visits have enriched my life, personally and professionally, and I'm grateful for the experience. 

  I hope the Parent Teacher Home Visit Project continues to grow! I have now moved to Carson City and hope I can do home visits there too.