While teachers visiting students at home is not common in the U.S., the practice may offer significant academic and social benefits. One teacher in particular finds visiting her students' homes helps transform learning. 

Lillian Degand has been visiting the homes of her Chicago public school students for the past 18 years, according to an article on SunTimes.com. She finds that visiting her students gives her the opportunity to have "an individual experience with each of my students. I offer opportunities to learn and suggest support for students."

As I travel among houses, apartments and units above garages in different neighborhoods and different parts of the city, I try to understand the social dynamics of each household," Degand said. "In Chinatown, in Pilsen, in Lakeview, and in the North Park neighborhood, I’ve seen what time parents get home from work and see first hand who oversees schoolwork. Also, I observe directly the extent that students and parents understand the class curriculum. Very often, the families’ request modifications and or/ provide insights into the students’ academic and social status. Amazing and interesting stories are often shared. Whether the story is about a relative or the student, it is a connection that ties the student, the family and me, the teacher, together.

Degand said it can be a challenge, especially with language barriers.

"I do not speak a word of Chinese, even though I am 100 percent of Chinese descent; however, I understand most of what a parent is trying to communicate by asking the child," she said.

Degand said there are "many benefits to the home visits for my students, who over the years have included first through sixth graders at four different CPS schools."

"Believe it or not, 100 percent of parents come for each report card pickup and they stay for lengthy conversations," she said. "Another benefit is increased parental support on student homework or discipline issues."

Legand said that over the past 18 years, she learned that home visits are "win-win."

"One student, Candy, blossomed after a home visit," she said. "Through her narrative writing and the home visit, I learned that an aunt living with the family was verbally abusing her. Ignoring the aunt during the visit and focusing on Candy was paramount. After the home visit, Candy came to school and was thrilled that her teacher came to her home and saw pictures of her when she was seven years old and a child model in China."

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Article by Kassondra Granata, Education World Contributor