Partnering with Parents to Ensure Student Success

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Partnering with Parents to Ensure Student Success

Podcast: Hillsdale College Podcast Network Superfeed
Host: Hillsdale College K12 Classical Education Podcast, Scott Bertram
Guest: Rosa Kubala, Kindergarten Teacher & Student Leadership Advisor, Founders Classical Academy of Las Vegas
Date: July 27, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode explores how schools, particularly those centered on classical education, can partner effectively with parents to ensure the holistic success of students. Scott Bertram interviews Rosa Kubala, a veteran kindergarten teacher and leadership advisor, about the dynamics of the parent-teacher relationship, practical ways both parties can collaborate, the unique challenges presented in a classical education setting, and actionable advice for supporting student growth.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Role of Parents as First Teachers

• Parents set the foundational example:
  • Rosa Kubala explains:

    "Parents are the models and the teachers for students from birth until basically...the first time they bring a child to someone other than themselves, which is usually me, the kindergarten teacher." (02:06)

  • The transition to school is likened to "co-parenting and co-teaching" (02:22).

2. Preparing Children for Kindergarten: Social, Not Just Academic Skills

• Social readiness outweighs academic skills at entry:
  • Raising hands, following routines, and handling uniforms are critical initial skills (02:41).
  • Academic foundations are important, but understanding concepts like what numbers represent matters more than rote counting (04:12).

  • "A child that knows letter names for letters is actually sometimes a detriment, because we want those students to know the sounds those letters make instead of their letter names." (04:23)

3. Misconceptions Parents Have About Kindergarten

• Strong academic skills aren’t always an advantage due to different approaches (04:12).
• Schools often start from the basics and focus on building a strong foundation for all.

4. Building Trust and Communication with Parents

• Teachers need to show care beyond academics:
  • Kubala uses "getting to know your child" sheets for personalized attention (05:41).
  • Teachers must be stewards of both the child’s academic and emotional wellness.
• Clear communication is foundational to a productive partnership (06:25, 10:28).

5. Helping Students Struggling with Transition or Academics

• Teachers should be a parent’s first resource when issues arise; conferences are encouraged (07:36).
• "A child who struggles will inevitably start to feel unsuccessful and this is damaging to the spirit. Without awe and wonder, education becomes a dry obligation." (08:29)
• Transferring into a classical school is a significant academic and cultural adjustment.

6. Distinct Features of Parent Involvement at a Classical School

• Parents are actively invited to observe and participate in lessons ("co-teaching") (08:50).
• The choice to attend a classical school often involves parental intention and research (09:31).
• Mission statement comparison highlights classical education’s focus on virtue and civic education versus mainstream schools’ emphasis on STEM and exploration (15:22).

7. Resolving Parent-Teacher Friction

• The "elephant in the room" is the potential for contention, but both sides share the same end goal (10:28).
• Differences often stem from focusing on individual versus classroom needs.
• Honest, proactive communication prevents and resolves conflicts.

  "The sooner I know of an issue, the faster it can be addressed. Clear and honest communication...is the best answer for these kinds of situations." (11:34)

8. Handling Disruptive Behavior and the Importance of Consistency

• Teachers praise correct behavior and encourage self-reflection (13:07).
• Home reinforcement of classroom rules is highly beneficial; some parents adopt school standards at home for consistency (13:50).

9. How the Parent-Teacher Relationship Differs in Classical Schools

• Choice-driven enrollment means higher parental investment and awareness (14:55).
• Occasional challenges arise if parents are unfamiliar with classical education expectations.

10. Supporting Homework & Lifelong Habits at Home

• Homework is for practice; parents should provide structure but not do the work (17:03):
  • "Parents can best support their child by providing a well lit space where student has uninterrupted time to work independently. This time should be scheduled into the daily routine, not necessarily right after school and definitely not in the car...Homework time should be treated as a valued and necessary component to the school day." (17:11)
  • Life happens—partnership means leniency when needed, with communication (17:41).
  • Emphasis is on growth and mastery over perfection.

11. Lessons Learned from Parents

• Listening to parents' needs and fears makes teachers better partners (18:53):

  "Every new...year, there is a new surprise every year. Parents have different [needs]. A lot of it honestly stems from fear. Once a parent tells me what their needs and concerns are, we can deal with that and that really supports the partnership." (18:53)

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Notable Quotes

• On Early Education:

  "Nobody likes to think of themselves as selfish, but as a parent, I know I'm going to put my child out of a fire first. That's just human nature. Parents want us to have this level of care for their children." — Rosa Kubala (06:47)

• On Classroom Transition:

  “Children do not need to raise their hands at home or wait in line to use the restroom. In my classroom, there are 29 other students to consider. So this unnatural procedure needs to be learned.” — Rosa Kubala (10:45)

• On Authentic Partnership:

  "During the school week, our students are with teachers for about the same number of waking hours as they are with their parents...this partnership needs to be strong and honest." — Rosa Kubala (11:01)

• On the Purpose of Homework:

  “Knowledge, mastery and understanding are the goals of education, not perfection. Good grades will follow when the children learn with wonder, joy and integrity.” — Rosa Kubala (18:28)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 02:06 — Parents as first teachers: the “pass off” into classroom partnership
• 02:41 — Surprising essentials for preparing a child for kindergarten
• 04:12 — Common misconceptions about kindergarten readiness
• 05:41 — Building trust from day one
• 07:36 — Supporting struggling students: emotional and academic adjustment
• 08:50 — Parental involvement unique to classical schools
• 10:28 — Addressing friction; communication as a solution
• 13:07 — Addressing disruptive classroom behavior
• 14:55 — How classical schools shape the parent-teacher relationship
• 17:03 — Supporting homework and resilient learning habits
• 18:53 — Lessons learned from parents over time

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Standout Moments

• The comparison of classical and mainstream school mission statements (15:22):
  • Highlights the philosophical difference in education approaches and parental expectations.
• Emphasis on the impact of parent-teacher communication and transparency in every aspect of student success.

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Summary

This episode provides concrete, practical examples of how a classical education model—including its unique culture, routines, and expectations—relies on genuine partnership with parents. Rosa Kubala’s deep experience and candid storytelling illustrate that student readiness, success, and well-being are best supported when schools and families engage in ongoing, honest, and collaborative communication, particularly during the vital transition into formal schooling.

Transcript

[Podcast Announcer]

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[Scott Bertram]

Welcome to The Hillsdale College K12 classical education podcast, bringing you insight into classical education and its unique emphasis on human virtue and moral character, responsible citizenship, content, rich curricula and teacher led classrooms. Now your host, Scott Bertram.

Thanks for listening. The Hillsdale College K12 Classical Education Podcast is part of the Hillsdale College Podcast Network. More episodes at podcast hillsdale.edu or wherever you get your audio. You also can find more information on topics and ideas discussed on this show at our website, k12 hillsdale.edu.

[Interviewer]

we're joined by Rosa Kubala. She's a kindergarten teacher and student leadership advisor at Founders Classical Academy of Las Vegas, also part of the committee that formed the first governing body of the school. Rosa, thanks so much for joining us.

[Rosa Kubala]

Absolutely. I'm so excited to be here this

[Interviewer]

morning talking about partnering with parents to ensure student success. Today in classical education, we do hear that parents are the child's first teachers and you're a kindergarten teacher. You're the literal first teacher inside a school. When we say parents are a child's first teachers, what does that mean in practice, especially for those students that you see for the first time?

[Rosa Kubala]

So parents are the models and the teachers for students from birth until basically oftentimes the first time they bring a child to someone other than themselves, which is usually me, the kindergarten teacher. So it's kind of a pass off. And I like to say that once that is made, we are co parenting and they are co teaching because now it becomes a partnership between the two of us.

[Interviewer]

How can parents help to prepare their child for success before they enter the classroom?

[Rosa Kubala]

This is something that comes up quite often in kindergarten especially. Parents are usually surprised when I tell them that it's not an academic answer, it is more of a social answer and learning how to go to school. Students need to learn to listen and ask questions in turn. They need to raise their hand before they use the restroom, which is huge. Nobody does that at home. And so as far as kindergarten, that is something that's really important. At our school we wear uniforms and those require belts. So students Sometimes learn that they don't know how to use a belt. The first time they're finally at the front of the line to use the restroom. So things that you don't necessarily think about are things that, especially in kindergarten, they need to know. This changes with the age of the child. Of course, when we have students coming in at different levels, they need academic help. And usually the school will help counsel students when they enter our school. Because we are such a rigorous program and different from the mainstream. There's a lot of foundation academically that the students will need. And the teachers are a fabulous resource for that.

[Interviewer]

So you mentioned that it's a bit of a surprise when they find out it's kind of social things, not academic things. Are there any other misconceptions or surprises that a lot of parents have about kindergarten?

[Rosa Kubala]

Absolutely. I have some really, really great parents who send their students to really, really great preschools. And the students will come knowing how to count to 100, and they'll know their ABCs. And in our program specifically, those things don't necessarily help students get farther along. In our case, our explicit phonics program is so basic, we start from the beginning. And a child that knows letter names for letters is actually sometimes a detriment, because we want those students to know the sounds those letters make instead of their letter names. Because when we're reading, that doesn't really help them. I like to tell parents as far as academics and numeracy is the best thing that they can learn. If the students can understand the concept of what numbers are. And this doesn't mean counting to 100, this means counting to 10. But understanding what 10 really is, instead of saying, yeah, I can rattle that off, well, how much is 10? How many fingers do we have? How many more would I need if I only have eight in order to make 10? So it is somewhat surprising. Even students that can read coming into kindergarten are not necessari ahead of the rest of the group, because none of them really have the foundation that we're going to set.

[Interviewer]

So what do parents need teachers to know about their student entering kindergarten?

[Rosa Kubala]

Parents need to know that teachers are going to take care of them. It's a very huge leap of trust to let your child be in the care of somebody else. And so what I like to do, especially in kindergarten, is I'll have parents fill out a getting to know your child sheet. It has everything from fun facts to health concerns. And that way they know that I am listening and paying attention. Once I have that information, I'm going to make sure that I am a good steward and take care of their children more so than just academically. But I have their wellness in mind as well.

[Interviewer]

And on the flip side, other than some of those surprising things, misconceptions, what do teachers need parents to know?

[Rosa Kubala]

Parents should know that foremost separation anxiety is natural. It's normal for children and parents to experience anxiety during the first weeks of school. Tears at dropped off do not necessarily mean a child is unhappy or unsafe. Consistent routines and confident short goodbyes help children adjust more quickly. Parents need to know that teachers will care for their children. We are concerned with teaching them all the things we want them to know and we want this for the whole class. Nobody likes to think of themselves as selfish, but as a parent, I know I'm going to put my child out of a fire first. That's just human nature. Parents want us to have this level of care for their children. As a school, we have procedures and rules to make sure that everybody is safe. But also parents need to know that we think about these things and our actions have reasons behind them that are meant for the good of all students. We understand that students overall wellness is part of our responsibility. We need to show the parents that we are paying attention and we take this responsibility seriously.

[Interviewer]

So what can parents do to support a child if he or she is struggling in that first year of kindergarten?

[Rosa Kubala]

Yeah, this is a real fear for parents. When their child's not doing well, things get a little tricky because it'll often get emotional and rightly so. Teachers should be a parent's first resource. Parents have every right to ask for a conference if they feel something is going wrong. Our program is rigorous and different by design. A teacher is likely to identify why a child is struggling and offer suggestions. Students that transfer from non classical schools need time and support to adjust to their new situation academically and socially. Parents who want a classical education for their child do not always recognize what a significant academic and cultural adjustment this can be. Teachers can offer suggestions and help pinpoint the specific support needed for their child. This is a huge education investment. A child who struggles will inevitably start to feel unsuccessful and this is damaging to the spirit. Without awe and wonder, education becomes a dry obligation.

[Interviewer]

Are there particular aspects of classical education, as you find at Founders Classical in Las Vegas, that naturally reinforces the role of parents in education?

[Rosa Kubala]

I think we do offer some unique opportunities for the parent to be involved with their child's education. We often invite parents to come in and observe lessons because they are again co teaching and the more they understand what we're doing and the reasoning behind it, the better off we are all together. We have even parents come in to support our curriculum. Sometimes if they do something that is well within the boundaries of what we're teaching, they can come in and do that. And I think our parents are a little bit more understanding of what we do at a classical school, because I know in our K12 Hillsdale schools, we are all schools of choice. So parents research us, hopefully, and they are bringing their child to us. I like to say on purpose, you guys are here because you have a reason to be here. They've read our mission statement. They understand that we're going to talk about civics, we're going to talk about virtue, which is not always accepted in the mainstream schools.

[Interviewer]

Rosa Kubala is with us. Kindergarten teacher, student leadership advisor at Founders Classical Academy of Las Vegas, talking about partnering with parents to ensure student success. If there is a little bit of contention, if there's a contentious feeling between teacher and parent, why is that usually so? And is there a best way to help with that? Friction between parents and teachers?

[Rosa Kubala]

Yeah, this is definitely the elephant in the room. We all kind of worry about this on both sides. We both have the same goal, parents and students. Parents and teachers both want success for the students. Teachers want all the students to succeed. And parents in general have their eyes on just their child because that's natural. I have always advocated for my children. In fact, that is largely why we have a Hillsdale K12 classical school in Las Vegas. But as you might imagine, this can sometimes cause that friction. In my kindergarten class, I often make the point that students need to learn an entirely new set of rules and procedures for school. Children do not need to raise their hands at home or wait in line to use the restroom. In my classroom, there are 29 other students to consider. So this unnatural procedure needs to be learned. And from the parent perspective, it can be frustrating to realize that students don't always have their needs met as soon as we would all actually prefer. During the school week, our students are with teachers for about the same number of waking hours as they are with their parents. So this partnership needs to be strong and honest. Communication is key. Personally, I try to put myself in the shoes of the parents and answer questions they're likely to have before they have them. I really appreciate when my parents voice their concerns. I can't repair a situation that I'm not aware of. The sooner I know of an issue, the faster it can be addressed. Clear and honest communication. I Think is the best answer for these kinds of situations?

[Interviewer]

Communication is key. What are those sorts of things that you as a teacher need to know about over the course of a school year? Be it academic, social? What are those topics that will be helpful to you as a teacher in the classroom?

[Rosa Kubala]

This is great. Yeah. A lot of times parents don't think about telling us, you know, our pet died last night, or if there's an extenuating situation that might cause a child to not be up to their best. Because we get to know their children quite well, and if something is off, we can usually tell pretty quickly. And having that knowledge beforehand can help us support the child emotionally, which is usually the difference. Academics kind of roll forward in a very steady progression unless something comes up. And most often those things are emotional family things that we wouldn't be aware of.

[Interviewer]

How do you deal with a child that is perhaps overly disruptive inside the classroom?

[Rosa Kubala]

Well, this depends on the type of disruption that the child is causing. Basically, we all love our children, but we know they are not flawless. And in the parent teacher partnership, this is where we most need to be. On the same page. Strategies are going to differ by grade level in school. Teachers and parents both need clear guidance from school administration as to how these situations are handled. Depending on the severity of the disruption, the answer may include a quiet moment with the teacher to de escalate the situation or the assistance of a counselor or administrator. I personally love praising the children who do things correctly. If there's a small disturbance in my classroom, I'll look for a child that is behaving properly and let them know what a good job they are doing. Children generally want to do well, and when they see someone succeed, they will usually do their best to follow suit. If this does not adjust the behavior sufficiently, I'll ask that child to stop and think about about what choices they're making. For anything more than this, I'll send a note home to the parent. Support from families can make a huge impact. Sometimes parents will let me know of extenuating circumstances or there's, you know, all kinds of things that can cause this type of behavior. Often parents will reinforce classroom rules and then the child gets a clear understanding of the importance of the standards of conduct. I've actually had some parents tell me that they implement our rules at home and the whole household benefits.

[Interviewer]

I think we touched on this a little bit previously, but explicitly. More specifically, is there a difference in the relationship between parents and teachers at a classical school than perhaps something that a parent might be more accustomed to yeah.

[Rosa Kubala]

Again, our parents are choosing a specific type of education that we spend a lot of time preparing and delivering. Most parents who come to our school recognize this and support what we do. On occasion, parents jump into our program without doing their research and this can be problematic. Our websites abound with information about who and what we are and what we do. We are dedicated to delivering a classical education to those who want it. This includes Socratic seminars and a robust list of classical literature under Government and Political Thought. Our program guide Reads and I have a little Quote. The sixth grade history curriculum introduces students to moral and political philosophy and thus should inform how they think about government. By focusing on the ideas of Judaism, Christianity, ancient Greece and Ancient Rome, students should begin to see the ideas undergirding their own country. The mission statement at the Hillsdale School where I teach Reads we aim to train the minds and improve the hearts of young people through a rigorous classical education in the liberal arts and sciences with instruction in the principles of moral character and civic virtue for comparison. The current mission statement at the county middle school where my children would be zoned to attend Reads we challenge students to explore their curiosity through hands on inquiry based learning in science, technology, engineering and math. We empower them to navigate real world problems with critical thinking, collaboration and creativity. We inspire them to excel academically, socially and personally, preparing them for success in high school, college and beyond. Current educational offerings are quite diverse. Parents who know what they have signed up for are poised for success and

[Interviewer]

are there ways simple things parents can do at home that have an outsized impact on student success? Perhaps specifically with homework or those tasks or duties that you are expecting those students to complete.

[Rosa Kubala]

This is actually more of an important question than it seems. Teachers teach and students learn in the classroom. Homework is intended for practice, habit building and reinforcement. Parents should not be expected to teach new concepts. Parents can best support their child by providing a well lit space where student has uninterrupted time to work independently. This time should be scheduled into the daily routine, not necessarily right after school and definitely not in the car, on the way home or on the way to an activity. Homework time should be treated as a valued and necessary component to the school day. It should never be a punishment or a prerequisite for a reward. I think it's also important to keep in mind the purpose of the homework. Sometimes life happens and there is no time to fit everything in. Let's say a child in my class is up late at a ballpark because a sibling is in a playoff game. There are choices to make. This is a great time to remember the partnership. I would allow a student to submit an assignment late if the parent reached out in this situation. Sadly, sometimes parents can only see the missing grade and they themselves will complete the assignment just to turn it in on time. I would much rather have the assignment late or even missing because this is definitely not a good example for the child. I like the notion of letting children know that they can still be successful without being perfect all the time. Knowledge, mastery and understanding are the goals of education, not perfection. Good grades will follow when the children learn with wonder, joy and integrity.

[Interviewer]

Is there anything in particular that you have learned from parents or perhaps just through your interaction with parents over the years that you think maybe has made you a better teacher?

[Rosa Kubala]

I think overall, just being open to listening what every parent says every new I've taught kindergarten, I just finished my 11th year and there is a new surprise every year. Parents have different A lot of it honestly stems from fear. Once a parent tells me what their needs and concerns are, we can deal with that and that really supports the partnership.

[Interviewer]

Rosa Kubala is Kindergarten teacher and Student Leadership Advisor at Founders Classical Academy of Las Vegas, also on the committee that formed the first governing body at the School Governing Board at the school talking today about partnering with parents to ensure student success. Rosa, thanks so much for joining us here on the Hillsdale College K12 classical education podcast.

[Rosa Kubala]

Thank you so much. It's my pleasure.

[Scott Bertram]

I'm Scott Bertram. We invite you to like us on Facebook Search for Hillsdale College K12 classical education. You also can follow us on Instagram hillsdalek12. That's hillsdalek12 on Instagram. Thank you for listening to The Hillsdale College K12 classical education podcast, part of the Hillsdale College Podcast Network. More at Podcast Hillsdale Edu or wherever you get your audio.