Reflecting back to my childhood, I can vividly remember some amazing educators who instilled in me a passion and love for reading. They guided me perfectly down the road of learning to read and shifted that focus to being able to read to learn. The excitement that these teachers shared about reading was so motivating. As a student, I loved library day! It was an opportunity to go and race classmates for the “popular” books or to look at the top recommendations from our wonderful school librarian. I remember being able to take the books home to read, sneaking and staying up to get one more chapter in before going to sleep.
It was in my home with my family that the importance of reading was deeply entrenched in me. It was listening to my mom read to my siblings and me that allowed me the ability to explore new worlds. You know, the places where you wondered what it would be like to watch a mouse ride a motorcycle through your front room, or asking yourself, what would really happen if you survived a plane crash and were all alone in the Canadian wilderness? I need to thank Natalie Babbitt for introducing me to my favorite adventure — imagining playing outside and finding a magical spring that would give you immortality. But, as the best authors do, also giving me a glimpse into the other side that left me questioning: If I could have immortality, would I really want it?
While both my family and my teachers played a huge role in my love of reading, it was when the two combined forces that it paid off in my academics.
My teacher shared very specific strategies with my mom that were connected to some of the areas where I had room for growth. My teacher and mom consistently communicated about my progress and shared success stories as my areas for growth became areas of strength with my reading. This partnership proved to be a valuable support system as my mom and teacher were on the same page and reinforced the same message at both home and school.
There is no questioning that parents and families are a child’s first and most important teachers. Family involvement with their children’s education will always be one of the largest drivers of success. Research consistently shows that children with engaged parents outperform their peers, regardless of background or income level.
With only 48% of third graders in Utah reading at grade level, my plea is for families and educators to come together and partner to help children reach their full academic potential. When families and educators align efforts, children will have important skills reinforced. Consistent learning will lead to a lifelong love of learning.
Dr. Karen Mapp of Harvard shares other key benefits of families and schools partnering: improved academic outcomes, enhanced social-emotional skills, improved attendance and targeted support. “When we engage with each other, our deficit-based mindsets about each other disappear,” Mapp said.
I have spent the last decade working in family engagement. I have seen this ring true again and again over the years. When families and schools build partnerships centered around children, it can elevate learning for all students. My hope is that we can all come together to support the rising generation to become lifelong learners and develop a love for reading.