Our families and teachers say it best.
“I would like to share with you my deepest appreciation for how you interact with the parents of your students. Home visits are new to me because I have never received this kind of one-on-one attention that I have seen from you and your staff. My daughter is happier attending Woerner, and she is crazy about her teacher. My experience with teachers visiting the home was a great opportunity, and I look forward to the next one. Thank you!”
Parent, Woerner Elementary School, SLPS
“Principals have expressed enthusiasm about the increased support for children at home after teachers visited families. The improved communication between family and teacher has fostered strong support networks for many children, which has resulted in noticeable improvements in some children’s academic performance and attendance.”
Dr. Kelvin Adams, Superintendent SLPS
“I can’t believe the difference a home visit made for my son. His comfort level at school is way up, and his reading level is mind blowing. I am a big supporter. My son is excited, too.”
HOME WORKS! Parent, Beasley Elementary, Mehlville
“In the beginning, I thought the visit was just to be nosey and that the teachers just wanted to see what my house looks like. I learned, though, that the teachers really care. Ms. Hurd told me what she could do to help my daughter to do better in school. As a result, my daughter’s GPA went from 0.9 to 3.5, all because of home visits.
HOME WORKS! Parent, Vashon High, SLPS
“I received a new student in my classroom in the middle of the school year who was unfamiliar with home visits. It was clear that he was trying to adjust to our school environment, make friends, and be a successful learner. After our home visit, he has come into school every day with a huge smile on his face ready to learn. It was clear that he felt more comfortable, connected, and at ease after I had met with his family and saw what his life was about outside of school.”
HOME WORKS! Teacher
“I LOVE these home visits. They have greatly enhanced my relationships with my students and their parents. Parents will call me instead of waiting for me to get in touch. My students are open and share things with me. I have a better understanding of behaviors and “bad” days. This has been the best thing for a first year middle school teacher!”
Administrator, HOME WORKS! School
“When we had parent-teacher conferences in the fall, I received drop-in visits from two of the families with whom I had done home visits. Out of all of my students, those were the only two who came to visit with me. They were happy to see a familiar face and check out my classroom. At that moment, I really saw how the home visits with these families had helped build a connection.”
Cassie Boeckman, High School Teacher
“I just wrapped up a day of home visits, and, as the kids say, they are totally giving me life. I laughed until I cried with people from China, Iraq, California, and of course, Maplewood. I was told, “This is your home now. You’re our son’s teacher.” We all cried. I think if we all had to do home visits in this country (as humans, not just teachers), we’d get along a lot better.”
Lisa Koester, Elementary School Teacher
“Mr. Z. is a single (widowed) parent raising his son, N., a repeat first grader. When Ms. Rohrer made a home visit, the father expressed his frustration trying to be a good parent, work, and stay on top of N.’s schoolwork. He and Ms. Rohrer are working together and communicating, and N.’s EOY assessments have shown growth. The relationship with the teacher has eased his mind on thoughts of being a neglectful parent. He just didn’t know what to do. Ms. Rohrer has helped with after-school schedules for math drills. The first home visit has proven to help teacher, parent, and most of all N.”
Principal, SLPS Elementary School
“Since their 1st home visits, Ms. Watson and Ms. Mason walk students across the street and meet with some parents weekly. One parent gets an end of the week report to help with behavior, which leads to improvements in classroom work. They both have very good, close relationships with parents. In one instance, one of the second graders was finally diagnosed with ADHD and needed medication. Ms. Price (our Academic Improvement Coach) took the parent to the clinic to get the medication, which created a good relationship with the clinic and our school. These problems were solved because of initial home visits.”
Principal, SLPS Elementary School
“One aspect of being an effective teacher is knowing your students. Home visits give us the opportunity to really know our students by seeing the environment they are a part of at home. If it weren’t for home visits, I might assume that all students live the way I did as a child – and that’s not the case at all! I wish all schools did home visits.”
HOME WORKS! Teacher
“We had one home visit. We were able to find out what kinds of books he was interested in (mysteries). His reading was improved. He likes to read and reads more at home. Communication is good between the teachers and us. I think it is good for the teachers to see the environment of their students.”
HOME WORKS! Parent
“My child is more interested in school now that she knows that the school will send someone to our house with paperwork on her grades and attendance. She asked when are they coming back to see us.”
HOME WORKS! Parent, Vashon High School
“He went from hood up, head down, no eye contact, and a very reluctant reader to setting goals, asking about his goals, and achieving his goals. He is a completely different person. He read 32 words per minute to start the year and is currently reading 108 words per minute. His reading level has gone from 3rd grade to 5th grade, and he is not so defiant. HOME WORKS! has had a huge impact on this child’s life.”
HOME WORKS! Teacher
“My son was at Dewey for Pre-Kindergarten. Ms. Smith, his teacher, was fantastic. She was caring, organized, and wanted him to excel. Dewey had a program to help parents understand how our children learn. We attended one seminar a quarter, allowed one home visit, and agreed to do the suggested activities with our children. He learned a lot, and we learned a lot of good teaching techniques. The one year he was there was a great experience.”
HOME WORKS! Parent
“Home visits have provided a sense of comfort and better communication. We read more with our students and their reading levels have improved.”
HOME WORKS! Parent
“I had an ELL (English Language Learner) family who was wary of coming up to school, but they were so excited to have us visit their home. The kids served us food and showed us their room. You could tell they were happy we visited, and it strengthened my relationship with the family.”
HOME WORKS! Teacher
“I received a new student in my classroom in the middle of the school year who was unfamiliar with home visits. It was clear that he was trying to adjust to our school environment, make friends, and be a successful learner. After our home visit, he has come into school every day with a huge smile on his face ready to learn. It was clear that he felt more comfortable, connected, and at ease after I had met with his family and saw what his life was about outside of school.”
HOME WORKS! Teacher
“One of my students had an ongoing streak of absences. When I went on the home visit and talked with the student’s mother about it, she realized that the child’s stepmother had been keeping the student home from school to babysit. After the home visit, we were able to resolve the problem, and the student hardly missed any more days.”
HOME WORKS! Teacher
“After going on a home visit for one of my kids who hardly ever turned in their homework, I realized that the student was responsible for caring for their two younger siblings after school (one was a toddler). The family and I worked together to find a time for the student to dedicate to their homework and discussed why homework was important and how it was affecting their academic performance. Homework is now being turned in on time.”
HOME WORKS! Teacher
“HOME WORKS! is an integral part of our school culture. The relationships and trust created through visiting homes and partnering with parents have made a significant impact on our school’s success. Our students work harder knowing that their teacher and their families are working together and on the same team.”
Amy Watkins Fowler, Principal at Parkade Elementary in Columbia, MO