What’s To Come: Parent Engagement With Debbie Pushor This March
Hi there!
It’s hard to believe that March has arrived and spring is nearly upon us! We’ve got so many exciting things to look forward to in the coming weeks and we wanted to keep you up to date on some of the work we are doing in the space of parent engagement.
Below you will find information about some events I will be participating in, as well as some updates about work with wonderful folks with whom I am privileged to work closely.
March 18th: Full Circle Conference
On March 18th, I will be presenting at the Meadow Lake Tribal Council’s (MLTC) Full Circle Conference. The annual conference focuses on mental, physical, emotional, and social needs of teachers and the ways in which they support their students. The Conference takes place from March 16 to 18 this year and it will cover topics such as Fostering Resiliency with Indigenous Students, Creating Space for Indigenous Knowledge in Education, Food Sovereignty, and so much more. As I join a deeply inspiring roster of speakers, my specific discussion will focus on parent engagement as a philosophy and pedagogy, and discussing the types of activities that have high impact for students, families, and teachers.
Links to the online conference will be available two days prior to the event.
March 21: Horizon School Division EA Collaborative Learning Day
Later in March, I will be presenting virtually to the Educational Assistants of Horizon School Division. During this interactive presentation, I will be sharing how parent engagement is a practice of “walking alongside” parents and families in the schooling and education of their children. I will speak to questions such as, What does “walking alongside” mean? What does it
take? How do you do it? Together, we will explore concrete and practical ways to build
trusting relationships with parents that create a circle of shared responsibility.
I am looking forward to this presentation and I am feeling both excited and privileged to “walk alongside” Horizon School Division’s Educational Assistants.
March 24: Strategic Alliance for Alberta Students with Learning Challenges Society
On March 24th, I have another exciting presentation. This time, I will be speaking at an online event hosted by Alberta School Councils’ Association and the Strategic Alliance for Alberta Students with Learning Challenges Society. In this talk, I will explore with parents how they can be part of a gentle revolution in education and engage with their children’s teaching and learning in meaningful, impactful ways. I will focus on ways parents can use their place and voice to encourage teachers to “walk alongside” parents, supporting them to realize their hopes and dreams for their children’s schooling and education.
If you’d like to learn more or attend virtually, click here.
ANNOUNCEMENT: The Leadership Institute on Systematic Parent Engagement
In addition to my upcoming speaking engagements, I am delighted to announce that I have just launched my newest offering: The Leadership Institute on Systematic Parent Engagement.
From July 11 to 15, 2022, I will be hosting a Leadership Institute on Systematic Parent Engagement in Saskatoon.
The Leadership Institute on Systematic Parent Engagement is being offered to educational leaders including school administrators, superintendents, directors of education, senior administrators in educational organizations, school board trustees, and ministry of education officials. While the institute will look at a broad-reaching body of research, we will be exploring systematic parent engagement in Saskatchewan’s context.
With a focus on systematic parent engagement in teaching and learning, the purpose of this institute is to support leaders in deepening the underpinning knowledge, skills, and attitudes that will enable them to embed meaningful and authentic relationships with parents, family, and community members into their schools and systems.
If you or anyone you know is an educational leader who is interested in joining me in this unique experience, click here for more information and registration details.
On The Horizon
And there is much more to come! I have two former graduate student groups currently working on exciting projects: one a podcast series on creating familycentric schools, the other a book on systematic parent engagement! We’re making great progress on both projects and are anticipating having them available to the public fairly soon. If you’d like to be the first to know about these and other exciting projects and announcements, be sure to join my newsletter.
Yours in community,
Debbie Pushor