Educators are rightly concerned about disengaged parents - particularly families whose children need their support the most to increase their sucess at school. At the foundation of increasing engagement is making families feel valued and respected for who they are. What keeps us from seeing a family's strengths, instead of focusing on their needs? How do we create authentic family engagement? Global speaker and award-winning author Eileen Gale Kugler shares thought-provoking insights. Contact her for speaking, training, or consulting through www.EmbraceDiverseSchools.com

1. +
Getting Serious about Engaging Parents in
School: Valuing Parents for Their Strengths
Eileen Gale Kugler
Embrace Diverse Schools
(c) 2014 Eileen G. Kugler - www.EmbraceDiverseSchools.com

2. +
What
assumptions
prevent us
from seeing
families’
strengths?
(c) 2014 Eileen G. Kugler - www.EmbraceDiverseSchools.com

3. +
Quilt of Dreams”
created in rural South
African school
(c) 2012 Eileen G. Kugler www.EmbraceDiverseSchools.com

4. +
What does parent
engagement based
on pity and
paternalism look
like?

Little personal contact with parents.

One-way communication:
“We’ll tell you how to help your child.”

Families are seen only for their
needs, not their strengths.

No opportunity for parents to express
their perspectives or share their
experiences.
(c) 2014 Eileen G. Kugler - www.EmbraceDiverseSchools.com

5. +
What do we
really know
about
families?
Who is this?
What do you think her family is like?
(c) 2012 Eileen G. Kugler www.EmbraceDiverseSchools.com

6. This is Intell Science competition
semi-finalist Samantha Garvey who lived in
homeless shelter for much of her research
Mom: Olga Garvey Coreas
+ • Immigrant from El Salvador; nurses aide
Dad: Leo Garvey
• American born of Irish descent; cab driver
What resilience did her PARENTS show? What genes did they pass on?
(c) 2014 Eileen G. Kugler - www.EmbraceDiverseSchools.com

7. +

What does parent
engagement look like
when we don’t see
parents as individuals?
Programs don’t attract parents because they
aren’t designed strategically.

Families are blamed for lack of participation.

Assumptions about students and their families
determine expectations about the students’
ability to achieve.
(c) 2014 Eileen G. Kugler - www.EmbraceDiverseSchools.com

8. Stages of Immigrant Parent Involvement
Cultural
Leader
Cultural
Connector
Cultural Learner
Cultural Survivor
By Young-chan Han in
Innovative Voices in
Education: Engaging
Diverse Communities
© 2012 Eileen Gale
Kugler, Ed.

9. +

What does parent
engagement look like
when immigrants are
viewed as one
monolithic group?
Stereotypical views of ethnic groups guide
planning.

There is little understanding of the needs and
interests of immigrants as individuals.

Programs are often at the most basic level.

Potential leaders from immigrant
communities have little opportunity to take on
an important role in the school.

Programs are planned without the insights of
leaders from the immigrant communities
themselves.
(c) 2014 Eileen G. Kugler - www.EmbraceDiverseSchools.com

10. +
We view
others
through
the lens of
our own
personal
culture.
Individuals are
multidimensional
•
Many influences
•
Often interconnected
I vs THE OTHER
(c) 2014 Eileen G. Kugler www.EmbraceDiverseSchools.com

11. +
Innovative Voices in
Education: Engaging Diverse
Communities
©2012 Eileen Gale Kugler
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

12. +

What does parent
engagement look like
when planners don’t
seek outside
perspectives?
Outreach is based on what the planners think
is appropriate.

Families who don’t fit the pre-determined
expectations of “good parents” feel judged
and disconnect from the school..

Judgmental language is used at staff
meetings and in classrooms.
(c) 2014 Eileen G. Kugler - www.EmbraceDiverseSchools.com

13. +
True Family Partnerships
 Pity
 Assumptions
 Judgments
(c) 2014 Eileen G. Kugler - www.EmbraceDiverseSchools.com
Authentic
 Respect
 Value
 Empowerment

14. +

Families are asked about their dreams,
their strengths, their skills, as well as
their concerns.

Educators view each interaction with a
family as an opportunity to learn.

Events are tailored to the specific
interests and needs of the community,
with families participating in the planning.

Families are contacted personally on a
regular basis about upcoming events and
positive news about their children.

Families of all backgrounds are involved
in substantive decision-making that
impacts students.
What does
authentic
family
partnership look
like?
(c) 2014 Eileen G. Kugler - www.EmbraceDiverseSchools.com

15. +
Eileen Gale Kugler
Global speaker, trainer, consultant

Comments?
Questions?
Want to learn more?
703-644-3039
www.EmbraceDiverseSchools.com
EKugler@EmbraceDiverseSchools.com

Executive Editor, Innovative Voices in
Education: Engaging Diverse
Communities

Author, Debunking the Middle-class Myth:
Why diverse schools are good for all kids
Contact Eileen
Connect with Eileen:
Twitter Facebook LinkedIn
(c) 2014 Eileen G. Kugler - www.EmbraceDiverseSchools.com