Each day of this Teacher Appreciation Week, we are meeting a teacher whom we admire and respect for how they use Parent Teacher Home Visits to make an impact on our kids and communities. Follow along each day to hear a new story of impact. 

Mary Perez, Denver Public Schools – Meeting the Whole Child Needs of Students 

Mary Perez, a Denver Public Schools early education teacher, has a passion for special education. Her career began in the Philippines, where she initially pursued early childhood education. It wasn’t until she ventured abroad to teach in Spain that she encountered the challenges and rewards of working with children with special needs. Reflecting on her experiences, Mary remarked, “Even the school I grew up in, we weren’t inclusive at all. I wasn’t really exposed to [differences].” Realizing the importance of providing individualized support and resources prompted to her to move the United States and pursue an advanced degree in early childhood special education. 

Mary’s journey exemplifies the value of continuous learning and growth in the field of education. Despite her academic achievements, she acknowledges that her most profound insights have come from engaging directly with students and families through Parent Teacher Home Visits. “Being an educator, I didn’t want to be locked in the four corners of the classroom. I wanted to help with students’ overall well-being, not just learning numbers and colors…Partnering with families is the number one way (to do this).” 

Mary’s aspirations – like so many other teachers – encompass the holistic development of her students along with their academic success. By fostering empathy, understanding and collaboration with families, home visits allow her to create a more inclusive and supportive classroom environment where all students have what they need to thrive. 

In a world where high-stakes accountability measures are used to define teacher “success,” it’s easy to overlook the profound impact of everyday acts of kindness, connection, and dedication. For educators like Mary, the true measure of success lies not in test scores or the highest career accolades but in the tangible difference they make in the lives of their students. As Teacher Appreciation Week reminds us to honor and celebrate educators, let’s not forget the quiet heroes who, through Parent Teacher Home Visits, are shaping futures and transforming students’ educational experiences, one visit at a time. 

Want to show appreciation to these inspiring teachers – and all others who share their belief in the power of home-school partnership?  

Leave a message at the Teacher Appreciation Hotline at 202-743-5371, sponsored by our national partner, the National Education Association, to share a story of an educator going above and beyond for their students. It will be shared with education leaders to help give teachers the respect they deserve. And shoutout all the teachers you know who go the extra mile on all platforms using the hashtag, #ThankATeacher 

Consider the resources that teachers need to successfully partner with families. Read about Denver Public School’s Parent Teacher Home Visits practice and explore our website to learn more about this proven family engagement strategy and how you can implement them in your school or district.