George Lucas Educational Foundation
Edutopia

Family Engagement

Teachers, administrators, and other school personnel will find relevant and valuable tools and resources here for strengthening bonds between schools, families, and communities.

  • Supporting Students in the Hospital

    One teacher shares her advice for teaching a student who is hospitalized and her tips for reentry into the classroom.
    Kelley Spainhour

  • ‘Not Just Tummy Time’: A Preschool Professionalizes ECE

    Part of a national network of preschools, Educare New Orleans uses a holistic approach to teaching and learning to ensure that every child is ready for kindergarten.
    Nora Fleming

  • 4 Tips for Principals From a Parent Who Knows the Job

    Transitioning from elementary school principal to room parent opened up a new perspective on what it means to lead a school.
    Don Vu

  • Responding Calmly to Upset Parents

    When an angry email shows up in the inbox, it can be tempting to respond in kind. These five tips from a middle school principal lead to better responses.
    Jessica Cabeen

  • Thank-You Letters to Teachers

    Keith Heggart

  • Designing a Public School From Scratch

    On a mission to reimagine traditional schooling, a K–8 school in San Diego puts teachers and students at the center.
    Nora Fleming

  • 6 Tips for Engaging the Families of English Language Learners

    Schools
    Louise El Yaafouri

  • The Power of the Positive Phone Call Home

    Calling students’ parents or guardians with good news encourages more good behavior and creates strong teacher-student bonds.
    Elena Aguilar

  • 5 Strategies for a Successful Parent-Teacher Conference

    Parent-teacher conferences don’t have to be such a headache. Educators weigh in on how to solve common problems.
    Emelina Minero

  • Homework vs. No Homework Is the Wrong Question

    Does your school have a homework policy? How does your school ensure that teachers don't overload students with busy work?
    Maurice J. Elias

  • How Parents Can Help Their Kids With Studying

    Advice that teachers can share with the parents of middle and high school students about how to get the most out of time spent studying.
    Blake Harvard

  • Growing a School Community

    An elementary school garden has fostered community by giving English-speaking staff and Spanish-speaking families a shared goal.
    Juliana Urtubey

  • Supporting Families to Boost Students’ Success

    Addressing the financial, social, and emotional wellness of preschoolers’ families supports the students’ progress in school.

  • Parent Workshops: Strengthening the Learning Community

    During in-school workshops, parents learn what their kids are studying and how to support it at home.

  • 7 Questions to Ask Parents at the Beginning of the Year

    A set of questions that will help teachers form partnerships with parents in support of their children’s learning.
    Elena Aguilar