By Lisa Levasseur | Project Director
Dear Donor,
One of the best parts of my job is to hear about the impact our project has had on the various educators that we have trained around the country. I received this story a month ago from Nicole Matoon, a first grade teacher from Sunnyside Elementary and I wanted to share with you our donor the impact your generous contribution has made.
"When I first learned about the home visit program, I was resistant to the idea. I was not willing to spend more of my personal time on school-related business, even for pay. Three years later, when I became a first-grade teacher at Sunnyside, all three of my teaching partners were planning on doing home visits. I reluctantly took the training, and during August I started calling families and visiting their homes. I was surprised at how many families were receptive, even excited, by the idea of me coming to their homes. They were grateful that I would take the time and make the effort to get to know them outside of school. It was the beginning of an exciting new phase of my teaching career. By visiting students and their families, I was able to learn an amazing amount about them, and forge bonds that would continue into the school year. Not only do I have a better understanding of my students and where they are coming from; I can relate classroom concepts to familiar things at home. The kids were thrilled to have their teacher come to their houses and because of the home visit, communication between school and home is much smoother than it has ever been for me. Parents are more involved in the classroom and with helping their kids at home. They are now comfortable contacting me with questions and concerns. The partnerships I have built with parents and students has changed the climate of my classroom in so many positive ways. It has definitely been worth the investment of my time outside of the school day. Once unenthusiastic about this program, I am now eager to continue it for as long as I am able."
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