At CampUs Vitali, we believe education is a journey fueled by passion, dedication, and collaboration. This Teacher Appreciation Week, we warmly celebrate all educators, whether they stand at the front of a classroom, guide students in community centers, inspire learners online, or nurture growth at home. Above all, we want to shine a special light on the profound and transformative role parents play as educators alongside teachers in every setting.
Educators Everywhere: A Rich Tapestry of Learning Guides
Educators come in many forms. They are the educators who ignite curiosity and critical thinking, the specialists who tailor learning to diverse needs, the mentors who foster confidence and resilience, and the coaches who encourage teamwork and discipline. Equally important are the parents and guardians who serve as their child’s first and most enduring teachers-guiding, encouraging, and shaping their learning every single day (National Association for the Education of Young Children [NAEYC], 2020). Perhaps even choosing the continuous path of being home educators who foster diverse learning opportunities and personalized attention (Ray, 2017).
Parents: The Cornerstone of Education
Parents are the heart of education. Long before children enter formal schooling, parents introduce them to language, numbers, values, and the joy of discovery (NAEYC, 2020). At home, parents create learning environments filled with encouragement, safety, and personalized attention that no classroom can replicate. Whether they are home educating full-time or supporting learning alongside schools or education centers, parents wear many hats: teacher, cheerleader, counselor, and advocate; just to name the bare minimum.
Their role is both significant and unique because:
- They know their children best, tailoring learning to individual strengths, interests, and challenges (Ray, 2017).
- They model lifelong learning, showing curiosity and resilience in everyday life.
- They build the foundation for social and emotional growth, nurturing confidence and a love of learning (Henderson & Mapp, 2002)..
- They collaborate with professional educators, creating a powerful partnership that enriches every learner’s journey (Epstein, 2018).
Educators and Parents: Partners in Shaping Futures
At CampUs Vitali, we recognize that the most impactful education happens when parents and educators work hand in hand. This partnership strengthens learning, bridges gaps, and ensures that every child feels supported. Educators bring expertise, structure, and resources; parents bring insight, encouragement, and continuity. Marry the two worlds and we have home educators, a unique blend of both roles (Ray, 2017).
The synergy between educators and parents is essential for a child’s holistic development. As one expert notes, “When parents and teachers can communicate openly and effectively, they can work together to create a better learning environment for students” (Lindenwood University, 2023). Open communication, shared goals, and mutual respect create a unified approach that maximizes a child’s academic and social growth (Reading Rockets, n.d.; ConnectedTOT, 2024). Parents offer invaluable insights into their child’s strengths, interests, and challenges, while educators can provide professional guidance and resources. This collaboration not only enhances learner achievement but also builds a supportive network that fosters resilience and confidence.
For home educators, the roles of parent and teacher are not separate, but “interwoven and infinite” (Ishee, 2020). As Bethany Ishee writes, “We are both. Always. These roles aren’t separate and well-defined. They are interwoven and infinite.” This unique position allows home educators to provide deeply personalized learning experiences, blending academic instruction with emotional support and life skills in a way that is rarely possible in traditional settings. As Raymond S. Moore famously observed, “[Homeschooling is a] recipe for genius: More of family and less of school, more of parents and less of peers, more creative freedom and less formal lessons” (Moore, as cited in Ishee, 2020).
Research consistently highlights the profound impact of parental involvement: “Parents are a child’s first and most important teachers” (Quotesanity, 2024). Their ongoing engagement leads to better academic performance, stronger values, and greater emotional well-being (Henderson & Mapp, 2002). When parents and educators, whether in the home or school-work together, they create a nurturing ecosystem where children thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
Why We Celebrate You
Teaching is more than a profession, it’s a commitment to shaping lives. It requires patience to explain concepts repeatedly, creativity to engage diverse learners, empathy to understand individual needs, and resilience to adapt to ever-changing challenges. Parents, home educators and educators alike embody these qualities every day; influencing families, communities, and future generations.
A Heartfelt Thank You from CampUs Vitali
To every educator, whether you teach in schools, community spaces, online platforms, or at home, thank you. To every parent who embraces the role of educator with love and perseverance, thank you. Your work is invaluable, your impact immeasurable.
At CampUs Vitali, we celebrate you this Teacher Appreciation Week and beyond. Together, let’s continue to uplift, support, and inspire one another as we shape the future as…Family Serving Families!
Happy Teacher Appreciation Week from all of us at CampUs Vitali!
References
ConnectedTOT. (2024, May 24). Collaboration between parents and teachers. https://connectedtot.com/2024/05/24/collaboration-between-parents-and- teachers/
Epstein, J. L. (2018). School, family, and community partnerships: Preparing educators and improving schools. Routledge.
Henderson, A. T., & Mapp, K. L. (2002). A new wave of evidence: The impact of school, family, and community connections on student achievement. National Center for Family & Community Connections with Schools.
Ishee, B. (2020, September 17). Why you don’t have to be both parent and teacher in your homeschool. Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers.https://www.weirdunsocializedhomeschoolers.com/be-both-parent-and-teacher-in-your-homeschool/
Lindenwood University. (2023). Why parent-teacher collaboration matters and how to foster more of it.https://online.lindenwood.edu/blog/why-parent-teacher-collaboration- matters-and-how-to-foster-more-of-it/
National Association for the Education of Young Children. (2020). The role of families in early childhood education. https://www.naeyc.org/resources/topics/family-engagement
Quotesanity. (2024, July 6). Quotes about the importance of parental involvement in a child’s life.https://quotesanity.com/quotes-about-the-importance-of-parental-involvement-in-a-childs-life/
Ray, B. D. (2017). A review of research on homeschooling and what might educators learn?
Pro-Posições, 28(2), 33-45.
Reading Rockets. (n.d.). Building parent-teacher relationships. https://www.readingrockets.org/topics/parent-engagement/articles/building-parent-teacher-relationships
Celebrating Every Educator