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How families can develop skills to better support their students
When Carol Behel surveyed parents of her elementary school English language learners, an overwhelming majority said they didn’t know how to help their children with reading or math assignments.
“I find it’s very important that parents feel comfortable to come into the school and join us in what we’re doing,” says Behel, the current Alabama Teacher of the Year who first came to the U.S. from her native Guatemala as a 17-year-old exchange student.
In spring 2019, Behel, who teaches at Florence City Schools’ Weeden Elementary, set up a resource room for parents who are learning English. Using six laptops donated by the district, the parents worked on the same literacy program that their children used in class. The room was open during school days, and a student intern from the University of North Alabama was available to assist parents.
Behel also hosted regular meetings with parents to check their progress and provide additional one-on-one tutoring. This fall, she hopes to turn over the program to two mothers who served as mentors. “If children see parents working on things at home, the children can help,” Behel says. “When families are reading aloud, parents and children can correct each other.”