Parent Mentor

Providing local elementary classrooms with consistent, in-class volunteers to support student learning.

Parent Mentors volunteer in elementary classrooms each year. Weekly trainings offer opportunities for personal and professional development, and Parent Mentors report feeling more confident and comfortable in the community after the program.

One-on-one support benefits all children in the classroom

Volunteers bring love and understanding into classrooms.

When Valley Settlement first surveyed Latina/o immigrant families in 2011, many reported feeling unconnected to their child’s school. For those who spoke primarily Spanish, the schools could feel like unwelcoming places. Parent Mentor, based on a Palenque LSNA program of the same name, was developed in collaboration with Roaring Fork School District to help bridge the gap between Latina/o families and the public schools.

Now, these dedicated volunteers commit to providing in-classroom support to elementary school students each year. They engage in weekly trainings to encourage personal and professional growth. Most importantly, they strengthen the connection between Latina/o families and the schools, creating a more welcoming environment for all.

Meet a Parent Mentor

Essential Language Support

While Parent Mentors provide support to all students in a classroom, they are able to give one-on-one attention to Spanish-speaking students who are acquiring English. In a school district where over one third of students are English Language Learners, this extra support increases the teachers’ effectiveness and is healthy for the whole classroom.

LEARN MORE ABOUT DUAL LANGUAGE LEARNERS

“I am more confident in myself, and I feel stronger to overcome my problems.”

2Gen Impact

Parent Mentors report increasing their confidence in accessing community resources. Those who are parents of children and youth also report increased engagement in their own child’s education. Teachers who have a Parent Mentor in the classroom report academic gains for their students, and say that students have an improved attitude towards learning.

PARENT MENTOR OUTCOMES

Kid Tested, Teacher Approved

Having a Parent Mentor in the classroom is good for everyone. Teachers see social-emotional and academic gains for their students from having a Parent Mentor in the classroom. Interested in learning more?

GET INVOLVED

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