Original URL: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/ahwatukee/articles/0211edparentvalle0211Z14.html

Parent partners
Arizona Republic
Feb. 11, 2004 12:00 AM

Rafael and Rufina Valle spend hours every week volunteering at Esperanza Elementary School, which their second-grader, Rosa, attends. Rufina helps classroom teachers put booklets together. She has taken English as a second language classes offered at the school. Rafael works wherever he's needed, often cleaning and wiping down tables in the cafeteria. "They're really self-motivated," said JoAnn Valdez, parent coordinator for Esperanza, which is part of the Isaac Elementary School District.

QUESTION: Why do you volunteer?

ANSWER: Because we love our daughter, and because she's intelligent. By supporting the school, we are supporting her education.

Q: Do you see yourselves as models for other parents?

A: Yes. If it works for our child, it can work for other children.

Q: How does Rosa benefit from your involvement in her education?

A: She asks questions all the time. She's doesn't watch too much TV, and she loves to go to the library.

- Maggie Galehouse