Testimonials and Evidence
See what participants have to say...
“Working with Sandra for many years, I recognize how passionate she is in helping families and students in our school. She has led our teacher training meetings with care and precision like no one else. We can always depend on Sandra for making them informative, comprehensive, and fun.”
- Vicki, Teacher
"Sandra is the utmost professional in all situations. She goes above and beyond ensuring all stakeholders are part of the learning community. Sandra is very meticulous and her attention to every little detail is one of her strongest attributes. She is committed to every student and parent being part of a risk free environment, as well as selecting instructional topics that meet their needs. Workshops are engaging and presented in a manner that results in student achievement."
- Laura, Assistant Principal
“This was very beneficial. Lots of takeaways from this session.”
- Felicia, Teacher, Professional Development Attendee
"I had the pleasure of working with Sandra in a Bi-lingual Parent Engagement Group (BPEG) and conversational English classes. I watched Sandra work tirelessly to bring families from our community together to help them build confidence and camaraderie. Through her work building BPEG, I developed friendships with parents I would not have otherwise had an opportunity to meet and watched them grow in confidence to participate in school activities and events. Sandra's welcoming spirit helped create a safe space for our community to grow!"
- Sky, Title I Parent and BPEG Member
"Sandra brings many years of experience as an educator, RTI specialist and Title I facilitator. Her wisdom and experience have helped me do my job more effectively. Sandra puts peers and clients at ease with her kind and friendly demeanor. Her attention to detail, becoming a subject matter expert on the project before her, and dedication make her an asset to any team.”
- Julie, Title I Parent Facilitator
"I have been a Volunteer in a Bilingual Parent Engagement Group for the past few years. Sandra Smith is one of our group coordinators and I have the pleasure of working with her. She is an amazing person, who is always willing to work with families, making things easier for them. She is always looking for a way to make situations better. She is a respectful and caring person, who loves to see others happy. Sandra Smith is a wonderful human being, who our group and I love to be around. She has put a smile on all of us."
- Sandy, Bilingual Parent of ESOL Students and BPEG Member
"I’ve had the honor of working with Sandra over the years in many different capacities. She has been my colleague, mentor and friend. She helped me start my school’s International Night and BPEG program. These programs have been a huge success because of her support. She provides practical guidance that has been motivating and beneficial to my professional development. Sandra is inspirational, driven, and talented. Everything she does is planned and carried out with the most incredible eye for detail. I think this is because of her willingness to continually learn and improve herself, making her a fantastic trainer and mentor for schools and educators. Her knowledge and expertise are invaluable.”
- Anna, ESOL Teacher
“The workshop was very informative, fun, and I learned many strategies and various learning tools.”
- Title I Parent
The Results are In...
"Schools and teachers benefit from parental involvement because involved parents develop greater appreciation for the challenges that teachers face in the classroom. Teacher morale is improved. Communication between home and school helps a teacher to know a student better, which in turn allows the teacher to teach the student more effectively. Communication also helps to dispel any mistrust or misperceptions that may exist between teachers and parents."
“Regardless of family income or background, students whose parents are involved in their schooling are more likely to have higher grades and test scores, attend school regularly, have better social skills, show improved behavior, and adapt well to school.”
Henderson, A.T., and K.L. Mapp. 2002. A New Wave of Evidence: The Impact of School, Family, and Community Connections on Student Achievement. National Center for Family and Community Connections with Schools, Southwest Educational Development Laboratory.
“The most accurate predictors of student achievement in school are not family income or social status, but the extent to which the family creates a home environment that encourages learning, communicates high yet reasonable expectations for the child’s achievement, and becomes involved in the child’s education at school.”
National PTA. 2000. Building Successful Partnerships: A Guide for Developing Parent and Family Involvement Programs. Bloomington, Indiana: National Education Service, 11–12.
“When parents are involved at school, the performance of all the children at school, not just their own, tends to improve. The more comprehensive and well planned the partnership between school and home, the higher the student achievement.”
