Henley teacher invites parents to be students 

Nov. 5, 2026 / Small whiteboards. Plastic alphabet letters. Hands moving as words come together. And three Henley kindergarteners sitting on the rug, ready to show a classroom of parents what they know.

Henley Elementary School kindergarten teacher Dusti Krueger brought families into the classroom in late October for hands-on parent nights, turning a reading lesson into an opportunity for teachers, students and families to learn together.

During the parent sessions, families sat at student desks and experienced the reading lessons much as their children do in class. They sounded out letters, put them together and spelled short, three-letter words using the same kinds of materials their children use at school.

At the front of the room, the three kindergarteners demonstrated familiar lessons while the parents watched and participated. The evening gave families a firsthand look at how foundational reading skills are taught -- and how the practice activities children bring home connect to classroom learning.

“This knowledge empowers parents to support and practice these skills at home, creating consistency between classroom instruction and home learning,” Krueger said. “When parents and teachers work together, students are more likely to build strong literacy skills and develop a positive foundation for lifelong learning.”

For parent Elizabeth Wells, the evening was an opportunity to connect her youngest daughter's enthusiasm for kindergarten with the learning taking place in the classroom.

“She was ready to go,” Wells said of her daughter starting kindergarten. “She loves kindergarten and she loves learning.”

Ten families attended the first session, and another five attended the second.
Krueger also provided families with reading practice materials, including letter cards and reference sheets, to help them use familiar classroom strategies at home. Families who couldn't attend received the materials through their children, along with an explanation of how to use them.

Jenn Witt, principal of Henley Elementary School, joined parents at the learning sessions. 

"Building a strong school-to-home connection is essential in fostering a love of reading and a foundation for lifelong learning," she said. "These experiences make a lasting impact, and I cannot wait to see these young learners continue to grow and flourish as readers."