Dedicated teacher makes house calls
Published: September 6, 2005
Meeting a new teacher at the start of a school year can cause jitters in even the most well-adjusted kid.
So for the past three years, one Boston teacher has taken matters into her own hands, dropping by her students’ homes during the summer to introduce herself to the kids and their families on their own turf.
“It’s really nice to meet the kids and meet the families and give them a sense of partnership,” said Amika Kemmler-Ernst, a fourth-grade teacher at the Manning Elementary School in Jamaica Plain. “I mean, there is no way I can be a successful teacher if I am at odds with the family.”
Since the middle of August, Kemmler-Ernst has spent days, evenings, and weekends on her quest to make home visits to all 25 of her students.
“I learn the names of their brothers and sisters, and whether they have pets, and what sports they like,” she said. “I think people are more relaxed when they are in their own space.”
The visits, which last anywhere from 30 minutes to over an hour, are as varied as the students. Sometimes the kids talk about sports, music, or their favorite movies. Sometimes the family invites her to dinner, where parents describe their children’s hobbies and talents. But usually it’s the kids who do most of the talking – peppering her with questions about what the year will bring.
“The students feel a lot freer talking at home,” she said. “The focus is always on the kids.”
It also opens the door for better parental involvement. “We have a lot of working parents, and they can’t necessarily come on field trips,” she said.
She started the home visits after finishing her doctoral studies at Harvard’s School of Education three years ago. When she returned to the classroom, she said, she wanted to be sure she made a connection with her students.
And while she won’t make it to every home before the first day – she estimates it will take about a week longer – it’s a good way to start off the year.
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