The First Teacher Program was developed to reach migrant parents of preschool age children in northern California communities.  It is a home-based program adopted from New York that focuses on the parent as the child’s first teacher.  Weekly home visits include the following educational practices:

• A one-on-one approach to parents and children
• Teaching in familiar surroundings
• Demonstration of educational material, rather than lecture
• Consultation with the parent on all aspects of the child’s program, and
• Coordination with community agencies to meet the families needs

Program Goals and Objectives

One of the major goals of the project is to help reduce the high retention rate among migrant students by providing participating children with necessary basis skills for entering kindergarten.

• Project parents will demonstrate their ability to effectively make and use home tasks with their preschool children
• Participating parents will demonstrate a better understanding toward their role as first teachers of their children
• Participating migrant children will demonstrate improved skills in all areas of development
• Migrant staff will be provided training on Early Childhood Skills and Montessori methodology
• The urgent health and dental needs of migrant children will be addressed

For More Information

Contact:
Gail McGowan - Assistant Superintendent
1870 Bird Street, Oroville, CA  95965-4855
Phone: (530) 532-5749
Fax: (530) 532-3096
Email: gmcgowan@bcoe.org