Teaching isn’t merely a profession; it’s a calling – a journey filled with enduring passion and a sense of purpose. At the heart of this dedication lies a commitment to positively impacting students’ lives. In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, we would like to shine a special spotlight on those educators who go the extra mile to build bridges between home and school in service of their students’ success.  

One powerful practice that embodies this commitment – and that is winning the hearts of educators everywhere – is Parent Teacher Home Visits. Last year, extraordinary teachers from across the country visited the homes of more than 30,000 students using our relationship-building model.  The primary goal with these visits is to forge meaningful connections with families, but educators’ infinite wisdom and experience point to a range of personal and professional benefits that enable them to stay, grow, and thrive in a field that is facing unprecedented burnout and turnover. 

Each day of this week of appreciation, we’ll meet a teacher whom we admire and respect for how they use Parent Teacher Home Visits to make an impact on our kids and communities. 

Ramie Gallagher, Elk Grove Unified School District – Finding Joy in Unlocking Student Potential 

Ramie Gallagher’s high school teaching career, spanning an impressive thirty years in Elk Grove Unified School District, is a testament to her dedication to her students’ success. Her purpose has always been rooted in helping students explore their interests and realize their own hopes and dreams. This is why years ago Ramie embraced Parent Teacher Home Visits; she set a goal to visit each of her homeroom students – whom she looped with for all four years – on an annual basis so that she could encourage their engagement and reduce barriers to learning. 

One poignant home visit story that stands out is Ramie’s experience with Gustavo, a reserved student with hidden potential. Recalling their first home visit, Ramie reminisces, “He didn’t live in our attendance area and didn’t know anyone. He lived in a mobile home park across town, so I got to see where he lived, meet his family.” Through subsequent visits, she witnessed Gustavo’s transformation firsthand. She describes a COVID-era virtual visit during his junior year where the entire family was squeezed into the screen, a moment of connection that transcended physical distance. 

The impact of those visits extended beyond academics. Gustavo flourished, taking on leadership roles and embracing school activities. Ramie encouraged Gustavo to step out of his comfort zone, and he did; he became a mentor, made new friends, and even landed a job at a local bakery. Ramie’s commitment to building genuine connections with her students and their families has enabled countless students to reach for their dreams. 

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 Ramie, 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. Your message 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 Elk Grove Unified School District’s family engagement work and explore Parent Teacher Home Visits’ website to learn more about this proven family engagement strategy and how you can implement them in your school or district.