From Edgewood, Texas, where MegaSkills has been used for several years, here is a first hand report from Diana Herrera, President, Edgewood Classroom Teachers Association. 

Edgewood Classroom Teachers Association

2002-2003

TO:  Mentors Participating in the NEA/Hispanic Organizations
        MegaSkills Initiative for Hispanic Families

Dear Mentors:

As an NEA member, I was selected to be a MegaSkills Mentor.  I am a Spanish speaker and was given the opportunity to be trained in Spanish as well.  I want to extend a special welcome to you.  NEA External Partnerships and Advocacy is to be commended for extending the MegaSkills Training Initiative to Hispanic Organizations so that these needed programs can reach more Hispanic families.

We have used MegaSkills for a number of years with great success in the Edgewood Independent School District in San Antonio, TX.  Our student population is 97.1% Hispanic so our parents have embraced the program we are offering in their own language. They report that it helps to bring families closer together with the school and opens lines of communication and understanding.  Teachers and staff also agree that parental support through our partnership raises scores, improves attendance and decreases discipline problems.  The workshops during the school day are repeated in the evening so our community can participate.  Its impact may also be seen in our total of parent volunteer hours (140,152.17) for the 2001-2002 school year.

Based on the experience my colleagues and I have had with MegaSkills, I know that you too will find success with this program.  It will bring ideas, activities, and strategies so our Spanish speaking parents can reinforce the work initiated by teachers throughout the nation.

You have all my best wishes as you embark on this important new initiative.

Sincerely,

Diana Briseño Herrera
Vice-President
Edgewood Classroom Teachers Association
San Antonio, Texas