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The West Virginia Family Engagement Center (WVFEC) hosts Virtual Summit Inspiring Change Across the State 
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The West Virginia Family Engagement Center (WVFEC) hosted the first annual Family & Community Engagement Summit on January 30, 2025! 137 participants representing 41 counties and 114 schools came together, bringing over 500 years of collective experience, to strengthen family and community engagement across West Virginia. Attendees included educators, school leaders, parents & caregivers, community leaders, support staff, Parent Teacher Association (PTA) members, and higher education leaders, who participated in rich discussion and interactive sessions. Throughout the day, participants dove into sessions that covered innovative family engagement strategies, effective communication techniques, and approaches to strengthen community & stakeholder partnerships.

"The WVFEC First Annual Family & Community Engagement Summit was a resounding success, bringing together educators, community leaders, and parents/caregivers to share innovative strategies, foster meaningful connections, and empower each other. The collaborative spirit and insightful discussions throughout the day established a strong foundation for ongoing engagement and support within our communities. It was truly incredible to witness such a strong commitment to family and community engagement from all participants."

Kurt Huffman, EdVenture Senior Program Manager Tweet

Key Highlights:

Attendance and Participation:

Attendees received book vouchers and attendance certificates, as well as access to a shared set of resources including slides, recordings, aligned tools and materials from the summit. It was inspiring to see so many passionate individuals committed to enhancing family and community engagement.

 

Summit Feedback:

Post-summit feedback highlighted attendees’ renewed commitment to building partnerships, improving communication, and implementing practical strategies. Key takeaways emphasized the importance of engaged caregivers, empowerment for all stakeholders, and continuous improvement in family-school relationships. 

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Summit Keynote & Interactive Breakout Sessions 

Dr. Lydotta Taylor opened the day with a powerful keynote, “A Story of Empowerment,” that set the stage for an engaging day of learning and connection. Best-practice family engagement was showcased in breakout sessions including:

  • Family Engagement Solutions: Transforming Family-School Partnerships with Evidence-Based Programs, presented by National PTA  and  West Virginia PTA 
  • Beyond the Buzzwords: Making Belonging a Reality Through the Dual Capacity-Building Framework for Family Engagement, presented by Avanda Williams-White.
  • Learning Through Play, Inquiry, and Community: Tools for Your Classroom, From A Children’s Museum Perspective, presented by Modesto Children’s Museum
  • Why Movement Matters for Students, Families, and Communities, presented by Move2Learn 
  • Connecting Opportunities to Engagement; Where Listening Meets Action: Connecting the needs of West Virginians to Family Engagement presented by The WVFEC/EdVenture Group

Enjoyed hearing from people in Southern West Virginia, my county neighbors. Parents are beyond vital towards empowering a child’s success. So, the more we can share our knowledge and experiences with parents, the more our students benefit. The more we are open to listening to parents, the more we grow as supportive partners. The afternoon session was very beneficial for me. I was able to hear from other professionals and hear some of the ways they are connecting with families in their communities.

2025 WVFEC Virtual Summit Participant Tweet

Afternoon Networking Sessions: “Choose Your EdVenture!”  

In the afternoon, participants chose their own ‘EdVenture’ in the following networking breakout rooms where they shared expertise, connected, and discussed family engagement best practices:

  • Resilience Building and Life Readiness:Strategies to foster resilience and prepare students and families for life’s opportunities.
  • Culture and Foundation Building: Unpacking the value of a strong school culture and the importance of a foundation of family and community engagement that supports every student’s growth and development.
  • Effective Communication and Outreach: Sharing best practices for effective communication between families, schools, and communities to enhance collaboration and support student achievement.

 

The WVFEC appreciates the time and continued efforts of all participants who shared valuable expertise throughout the day, and who are making a difference in the lives of children and families across our state.

Special thanks to the West Virginia Department of Education, Coaction Collective, and expert presenters for making this event a success. The journey doesn’t end here—stay tuned for more WVFEC opportunities for growth, engagement, and supporting communities! For more information, check out www.wvfec.org.

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