WVFEC’s Leaders Investing in Family Engagement (L.I.F.E.) Program Graduates Fifth Cohort
The EdVenture Group, in partnership with the West Virginia Department of Education, proudly congratulates the 2025-2026 Leaders Investing in Family Engagement (L.I.F.E.) cohort. In March 2025, school leaders 163 from across the state of West Virginia completed the West Virginia Family Engagement Center’s (WVFEC) Engagement L.I.F.E. Program. This cohort represents 53 schools across 30 counties.
The L.I.F.E. Program is designed to enhance leadership capacity, foster effective family engagement strategies, and build strong, connected networks of support for leadership. Participants met virtually the first and third Tuesday of each month from October to March. On the first Tuesday, they engaged in a content session centered on evidence-based leadership and family engagement topics. On the third Tuesday, participants joined together to collaborate in pods (breakout groups based on elementary, middle, and high school). These pod meetings enabled leaders to share insights, brainstorm solutions to challenges, and explore innovative ways to implement family engagement strategies. Through these collaborative sessions, participants worked together on activities that not only helped apply their learning but also served as a platform to develop actionable steps. This really showcases how the pods bring everything together—fostering collaboration, problem-solving, and concrete action plans that can be directly applied to enhance family engagement in their schools.
"The impact of the L.I.F.E. Program is driven by the leaders in it. This cohort, our largest to date, represents educators across West Virginia who care deeply about their school communities and the families and students they work alongside. Throughout the program, this group came together to share ideas, challenge one another, and reimagine what meaningful family engagement can look like in their schools. They're not waiting for change. They're leading it. And what they're building is thoughtful, grounded, and rooted in strong family-school connections. Congratulations to this incredible group of leaders. We're proud to learn alongside you and support the work you're leading across the state."
L.I.F.E. Content Sessions
The L.I.F.E. Program content sessions featured engaging, relevant topics tailored for school leaders, including:
- Building Confidence Communities
- Agile Leadership
- Intercultural Competence
- Inquiry for Growth
- Change for a Resilient Culture
- Social Emotional Well-Being
- Empowering Others
- Cultivating a 21st Century Leadership Plan
I really enjoyed being able to collaborate with schools in similar positions to ours. It really makes you feel like you're not fighting a losing battle, and reminds you that sometimes you just need fresh ideas. I am thankful to have been a part of this opportunity, and I am excited to implement the new ideas and advice moving forward! We have greater success when we put our heads together and work towards a common goal.
I loved that the program allowed us to connect with others around the state to brainstorm and share ideas. It really made me dig deeper and think from a more creative perspective when planning ways to engage families and our school community.
I would recommend this program to any one connected to the school and community. This program help to realize that I can build my self-confidence with working with others and empower them also.
I enjoyed the program because it provided a valuable opportunity to connect with others and realize that schools are facing many of the same challenges. It was reassuring and encouraging to share experiences and not feel alone in those difficulties. I also appreciated having the chance to collaborate with colleagues in the district whom I don’t typically have time to work with. Gaining new ideas and perspectives was especially helpful, and the support from the group was truly amazing.
In the first three years of providing services through the West Virginia Family Engagement Center, The EdVenture Group determined that there was a true need to help school leaders as they strive to enhance family engagement. The EdVenture Group utilized their unique background in education, business, and leadership to design a program that stretches the thinking of school leaders- not only in leadership but in how these topics specifically apply to family engagement. The L.I.F.E. Program is a key initiative in strengthening the relationship between schools and families, ensuring that leaders are equipped with the tools and knowledge necessary to foster supportive, engaging school partnerships.
Congratulations to all the participants for their hard work and dedication, we truly appreciate your commitment to family engagement!
To learn more about L.I.F.E or find ways to get involved in future cohorts, contact Victoria Taylor at vtaylor@edvgroup.org
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