Family Engagement 101

Focus on the basics.

My professional purpose and mission is to

Ignite Family Engagement In Education.

I would like to provide some very general information about this topic that will help stimulate thinking about this significant area of education.

I consider family engagement as the mutual dedication, cooperation, and support that educators, parents, and other caregivers share as children and young people are being educated.

It does not matter if the school is a traditional brick and mortar facility or independent, private, charter, faith-based, or cyber.

It is critical for parents and educators to maintain a spirit of collaboration.

This is important because family engagement will enable students within all grade levels to reap powerful benefits that will help them make continuous developmental strides. Simply stated, it will help them grow as learners.

It is the primary responsibility of educational leaders within an organization along with principals, teachers, and other school personnel to lead universal family engagement efforts. Such initiatives must be embraced by all school employees.

Parents and the family members responsible for supervising their child’s learning must also make the effort to establish a partnership with their child’s educators. Reciprocity is key.

This cooperative approach will result in the creation of a dynamic partnership between parents and educators. Their positive interactions will produce a positive relationship that is a genuine one. This authenticity will ultimately release the power of

teamwork.

The team spirit that exists between school personnel and parents has to be maintained. Both must be willing to work together to keep their partnership active and strong.

Children win big when their parents and teachers work together to support their overall educational experience.

I invite you to join me by uniting together to create change in this area. Be sure to sign up to be on my email list at [email protected] to receive a periodic copy of my newsletter and specific information about advancing the

Ignite Family Engagement Movement.

Here’s my golden ticket that helps me accomplish my mission.

Dr. Deborah M. Vereen is a retired Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher, School Principal, Director of Pupil Personnel Services, Assistant to the Superintendent for Family and Community Engagement, and Professor of Multicultural Education. Her website is www.Drdeborahmvereen.com and she is dedicating the rest of her life to serving as a Family Engagement Influencer.