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Parents As Teachers

Logo for Parents as Teachers, a program that supports parents in their child's education.

Blue Springs R-IV School District Parents As Teachers

Earns Blue Ribbon Endorsement

In 2024, BSSD PAT completed the Parents as Teachers Quality Endorsement and Improvement Process and earned the highest designation: Blue Ribbon Affiliate status.

Being named a Blue Ribbon Affiliate affirms that BSSD PAT is among the highest quality members of the home visitation and parent education field, implementing the evidence-based Parents as Teachers model with fidelity and quality.

Parents As Teachers (PAT) is a FREE early childhood family education program to assist and support families in preparing their children for success in school and beyond.

As a parent, you are your child’s first and most important teacher!

Your child learns more during the early years than at any other time in life.  How your child grows and learns during these years – beginning at birth – will impact later development and success in school.

When enrolled in BSSD Parents As Teachers, families with children birth to kindergarten will receive FREE:

  • Home visits with a certified parent educator
  • Yearly developmental and health screenings
  • Parent-Child Activities
  • Group Connections

  • Children 4 months to 35 months are screened at Liggett Trail Education Center or virtually by their parent educator. Developmental screenings will be offered to 3-year-olds and 4-year-olds on various dates in the fall and spring.

  • Each month we offer a parent/child activity for children birth to prekindergarten or a speaker on a topic of interest.

    • Invitations/Sign-ups via email and website

More Screening Information

Do you have a 3-5 year old (pre-kindergarten) child? Do you reside in the Blue Springs School District?  

  • Referral Screenings

Referral screenings are for children ages 3-5 whose parents have developmental concerns.  These screenings are held throughout the school year.  

  • Developmental Screenings

Developmental screenings are for children ages 3 and 4 for parents to receive an overview of their child's development. These screenings  are held in October and March. 

Appointments are required for all screenings, call 816-874-3490 and ask to speak with a Parent Educator.

MEET THE EDUCATORS

Question for Parents As Teachers

Email us at parentsasteachers@bssd.net

  • I've worked for BSSD in various programs, including Prime Time, sub teaching across the district, and on the administration side before finding my home with PAT at LTEC. I'm so happy to be working closely with families. I started kindergarten with BSSD in 1988, and both

    I have two teen boys, a dog, a cat, and a guinea pig under my roof. That doesn't include all my son's water creatures!

    Working with kids has always been my jam! I have over 30 years experience working with children of all ages. For years I was lead teacher for children ages 2 years to Kindergarten at a local Montessori, where I also served as Facility Director.

    Education

    • I attended MCCKC & UMKC.

    Favorites

    • I love the outdoors! You can find me hiking, running, & standup paddle boarding when the weather is nice.

    Contact Information

  • My name is Donte Watkins and I will be your student's Parent Educator. Before transitioning to PAT I was a Paraprofessional for 3 years. This will be my first year and I look forward to working with you and getting to know your family.

    Education

    • I received my bachelor’s degree in psychology from Missouri Western State University.

    Favorites

    • I coach football at BSHS and enjoy watching sports and eating pizza in my free time.

    Contact Information

  • Hi! My name is Elena Westbrook Montoya. I will be your parent educator, and I’m very excited to get to know you and work alongside of you and your family. This is my first year in this position, but I’ve been in the Early Education field for ten years. Most recently, I was the Interpreter and Translator for Early Education in the Independence School District which also included family advocacy and home visits.

    Education

    • I have a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Universidad Evangelica de El Salvador and ongoing education credits in Translation and Interpretation (English/Spanish). I am also certified by Trauma Smart (trauma-informed program for young children) and Parents as Teachers Foundational and Model Implementation.

    Favorites:

    • Color: Blue
    • Season: Fall
    • Drink: Coffee
    • Food: Sushi
    • School subject: Social Studies
    • Sport: Futbol (soccer) or tennis
    • Book: Biography
    • Movie: Toy Story
    • Animal: Torogoz (Salvadoran national bird)Elena Westbrook-Montoya

  • My name is Gina Linhardt. I will be your parent educator and look forward to getting to know you and your family. I have been a parent educator for 10 years and prior to that I was an early childhood teacher for over 20 Years.

    Education

    • I have an Associate's Degree from University of Central Missouri and a Bachelor's in Early Childhood Development from Ashford University. I am certified in Infant Massage and Connecting with Teens.

    Favorites

    • Color: Pink; Season: Summer; Drink: Sprint; Food: Italian; Subject: English; Sport: Swim; Book: Mysteries; Movie: Forrest Gump; Animal: Dogs

    Contact Information

  • My name is Mrs. Hannah Walsh and I will be your student's Parent Educator. This is my first year as a Parent Educator and prior to this I was a Behavioral Tech at Crittenton Children's Hospital. I then worked with the Autism Program for BSSD. I am so excited to get to know you.

    Education

    • I completed by Bachelor's Degree at University of Missouri-Kansas City. My degree is in Psychology with an emphasis on child development. I then continued my education to obtain many certificates in trauma, substance abuse, and autism.

    Favorites

    • Color: Purple; Season: Summer; Drink: Diet Coke; Food: Mexican; Book: My Sister's Keeper; Subject: English; Movie: Sweet Home Alabama; Sport: Soccer; Animal: Dogs

    Contact Information

ENROLL IN PAT

Parents as Teachers is a voluntary program for families based on the belief that parents are the child's first and most influential teachers. It is our goal to assist you in giving your child the best possible start in life.

For more information on enrolling in Parents as Teachers please call us at 816-874-3490

  • BSSD Parents as Teachers is certified in Infant Massage. If you have a child under 8 months of age, call (816) 874-3490 to sign up for an infant massage class.

EARLY CHILDHOOD PTA

The Early Childhood Parent Teacher Association (ECPTA) is the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) that supports the BSSD Parents As Teachers program as well as community children and families.

In addition to supporting PAT, ECPTA  supports community children from birth to kindergarten. We provide parents the opportunity to connect with other parents and educational resources in the community.