Research supports that family engagement in schools contribute to children’s academic and social success. Despite this knowledge, teachers and schools continue to struggle with ways to effectively engage all groups of parents/families in the education of their children. Additionally, educators need to be mindful and responsive in the way they communicate with parents/families. While there is not a one-size fits all approach to parent/family engagement, it is essential to build a toolbox of strategies to support this work within schools.

In this workshop, participants will have the opportunity to learn key communication strategies that can be applied in building rapport, de-escalating an angry or agitated parent, and collaborating from a strengths-based perspective. In addition, participants will have multiple opportunities to discuss and brainstorm various family engagement experiences and opportunities to apply strategies discussed.

Objectives
Participants will be able to:

• Define family engagement in schools and understand how it connects with student success.
• Identify the essential aspects of family engagement in schools.
• Identify resources for promoting family engagement to add to your toolbox.
• Apply effective communication skills when working with families.

Outline 
Session 1: Family Engagement

• Family involvement or engagement?
• Connection between systemic family engagement and student success
• Brief assessment of current practices of family engagement: what works and what does not?
• Common challenges/barriers for family engagement
• Essential components of family engagement
  • Epstein’s six types of involvement
  • Importance of culture/worldview
  • Examination of welcome, belonging, & honoring for families
  • Using empathic communication

Session 2: Family Engagement Toolkit: Resources & Strategies

• Self-Assessment of Family Engagement Practices
• Family-School Communication Strategies
• Using Welcoming Skills/Strategies
• Applying Belonging & Connecting Strategies
• Applying Honoring Strategies
• Exploring Family/Parent Mentoring
• Reflection, Sharing, & Plan for Action

Trainer’s Profile

Dr. Oliver is an educational consultant and social-emotional learning expert and trainer based out of Lafayette, IN, USA. For the past thirteen years she has taught in the Graduate School Counseling Program at Butler University. Prior to her current role, she worked as middle school counselor (with experience at the elementary and high school levels too) and served as a grief therapist for children and adolescents ages 3-22. She sees her role as a resource and support for all educators as well as an advocate and source of positive change for the entire school community.

Dr. Oliver is the co-author of Indiana Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Competencies: A Neurodevelopmental Culturally Responsive Framework. She has written and designed three SEL Educator courses, an SEL Specialist Educator course, co-developed nine SEL microcredentials, and co-developed Indiana’s Social-Emotional Wellness Coaching Model.

Methodology

Didactic instruction, role-play, large and small group discussions, modeling of instruction. self-assessment, verbal and written reflection, and processing activities

Platform

Zoom
A Zoom account is not required if you are strictly joining Zoom Meetings as a participant. An email invite will be emailed to you prior to the live workshop. Before joining a Zoom meeting on a computer or mobile device, you can download the Zoom app from the Download Center. Otherwise, you will be prompted to download and install Zoom when you click a join link.

Download Zoom Mobile Apps for iPhone or Android
Download Zoom Client for Meetings

Target Audience

Teachers, counselors, administrators, and other school staff that support students ages 3 – 14

Fees
1 person: SGD400.00 (USD300.00)/person
2 to 4 person: SGD380.00 (USD290.00)/person
5 person & more: SGD360.00 (USD280.00/person)
E-certificate will be issued

Other Details
Duration: 2 days, 6 hours
Closing Date:  26 Apr 2023

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