Trabajamos Juntos
We work Together
Community Centers
After assessing parent and teacher roles and relationships and educating parents on how to incorporate interventions within the home, teachers also need to be educated on how to bridge cultural differences with families and how to communicate with families appropriately to ensure lasting positive engagement and positive relationships with students (Hornby & Lafaele, 2011). Schools will benefit further by creating community centers within the school building or nearby in order to create a positive atmosphere among parents. Community centers are not limited to creating environments for discussions, but can also be an added resource center for parents who are struggling with food security, homelessness, trauma, and basic human necessities like access to translators, laundry facilities, and clothing. In order to teach to the whole child, schools must first address the needs of the whole family to secure safety, health, and mental health services of the children prior to seeing academic growth as a school.
The below qualitative study on engaging low-income families through a community-based organization called Community Action Network (CAN) that focuses on building a strong community among Latinx parents who have experienced isolation and trauma through their immigration. The purpose of this organization is to increase the level of parent resources, trust in schools, and participation in schools within the community. The program is primarily run by immigrant parents who seek out parents new to the community or local elementary school to join the collective.
The study below focuses on changing teacher pedagogy to include families, community, and homes in education. Early childhood education centered study that presents a “parent center” to ensure parents are comfortable in the facility, their participation is valued, and they view their children as safe.
