What is your impact on family engagement in WV?

L: Within my school community, I have developed and implemented various events designed to foster meaningful connections between families, educators, and students. These events have focused on enhancing communication, supporting student achievement, and creating a welcoming environment where families feel valued and involved.

M: An important part of my job that I value is the opportunity to offer parent engagement events to our families and caregivers throughout the school year. Some of the ways that I can assist is by organizing the events in a manner that provides effective communication, flexibility (by offering daytime and evening events), educational resources and supports, community connections, parenting tips and ways that students can best be supported.

L: I host an annual Night Before First Grade Pajama Party in my classroom.  We have a snack and a I read a “bedtime story” on the night before school starts to help students feel comfortable and connected before their first day of school. This event provides an opportunity for students to meet me, explore the classroom, and build familiarity in a relaxed environment with their families there to help ease the transition. By creating this positive first experience, students (and families) feel more at ease and less anxious when they return on the first day, supporting their social-emotional well-being.

M: One example of a positive impact from a parent engagement event that we host would be transitioning from the early elementary school setting into the middle school setting.  Students and their families need support in order to make the transition a success. We offer a variety of transition activities and events that support and excite the students and their families about this shift to secondary education.

What is your “why”?

L: My passion for family engagement stems from the belief that strong connections between families, schools, and communities are essential for student success. By fostering meaningful relationships, I can empower families to become active partners in their child’s education. Because of my passion for family engagement, I am dedicated to initiatives that bridge gaps and create opportunities for families to feel valued and supported.

M: For me personally, my “why” is knowing that engaging parents in their children’s education can help build a stronger support system between home and school. When families are involved, students tend to perform better academically, feel more motivated, and develop better social skills.  As a parent and teacher in Fayette County, I have had the privilege of witnessing this powerful partnership on many levels.  After all, schools are the “anchors” of a community.

What is a quote or saying that resonates with you, especially as it relates to your views on education?

L: “Do the best you can until you know better. Then, when you know better, do better.” ~ Maya Angelou

M: “Enjoy the little things in life because one day you’ll look back and realize they were the big things.” – Kurt Vonnegut 

The most rewarding part of being an educator is building and establishing relationships with my students. Having lived in Fayette County most of my life, it is a pleasure to see students grow and progress into productive members of our community. 

It is a joy when I can recognize a familiar last name and initiate conversation with a new student by saying, “I had your mom or dad in school when they were your age.” I want my students to know that I am passionate about teaching and that I care about their learning.

Reflection on your partnership experience with EdV/WVFEC.

L: I have always prided myself on successfully fostering family engagement in my classroom, consistently striving to go above and beyond in this area. Participating in EdVenture and the WVFEC L.I.F.E Program further motivated me to empower the families of my students to play a more active role in their child’s education. Through these experiences, I gained valuable insights into the barriers that may prevent families from engaging and discovered strategies to mend strained relationships or build new connections.

M: I’ve participated in two programs with The EdVenture Group.  This is my second year facilitating the caregivers from my school community in the Everyday Leaders program, I have completed the L.I.F.E. (Leaders Investing in Family Engagement) program, and most recently I am participating as a Family Engagement Fellow with the WVFEC. The EdVenture Group offers support to strengthen my family engagement efforts as well as offering me continuous education that I can share with my school to create a stronger environment.

What’s a fun fact about you?

L: I have worked in the mission field in Haiti, Honduras, and Costa Rica. I have also worked in missions at The Wind River Indian Reservation in Wyoming and in a small community in Southern WV.

M: A fun fact about me is that I love to spend time outdoors. My preferred summer hairstyle is a ballcap and ponytail. My summer time hobby is paddle boarding at Summersville Lake.  My 85 lb. dog always finds a way to jump on the front of my paddleboard making for an interesting voyage.