Jessica Lander
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Jessica Lander
Teacher, Author, and Advocate
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Powerful partnerships

Co-authored with Karen L. Mapp & Ilene Carver

In Powerful Partnerships, my co-authors, Karen L. Mapp and Ilene Carver, and I hope to strengthen every teacher’s family engagement practice and, in doing so, strengthen classroom success. We believe family engagement is critical to student and teacher success. We think this work is incredibly impactful—and want to share with teachers what we have learned about the best elements of partnering with families and how we hope it will transform their practice.

All teachers want to be and feel effective as teachers. They also want more than anything to see their students making progress academically, developmentally, and socially. In order for teachers to achieve the best possible results for their students, certain factors have to be present. One of those factors is the strong ties teachers build with the families and community members that their school serves. Those strong partnerships are not only important to maximize student learning, but are also a key factor in each teacher's own well-being and success as a teacher.

 

Family Engagement in my Teaching Practice

I see the power of family partnerships everyday. My students’ families speak more than 30 languages. A texting technology allows me to send texts in 80 languages, connecting me weekly with the families of my students. I share with them when their child does well on assignments or contributes thoughtfully in discussion. They are also my partners when their children are struggling.

Building on the book, I have run workshops and seminars with teachers and school districts; led a training program for the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education; and trained teachers at a national conference run by the Council of Great City Schools. Closer to home, I have mentored teachers in my own school to strengthen our own collective practice.

 
 
“Most teachers say that their number-one challenge is connecting with students’ families. If you agree, this book is for you. Not only does it answer your every question with thought-provoking advice and practical tips, it also explains the research behind the advice. This book is the course on family engagement that you never got to take!”

— ANNE T. HENDERSON | SENIOR CONSULTANT, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR FAMILY, SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

 
 
“This is a great resource for educators wanting to forge authentic partnerships with families. The book intertwines research, practical strategies, and personal stories to provide a clear picture of how to build school-family partnerships that lead to improved student achievement.”

— OSCAR E. CRUZ | PRESIDENT AND CEO, FAMILIES IN SCHOOLS

 
 
“This guide captures the voices and experiences of practitioners in a way that sets a clear path to building engagement. The personal stories of transformation speak to the power of partnering with families. This guide is essential not just for new teachers but also for veteran teachers looking to expand their practice. Well done!”

— MICHELE P. BROOKS | PRINCIPAL CONSULTANT, TRANSFORMATIVE SOLUTIONS IN EDUCATION

 
 
“Teachers are in the very best position to promote and sustain the efficacy of families, which translates into strong school-family partnerships and, most important, better learning outcomes for every student. Powerful Partnerships is at once practical, thought-provoking, and inspiring. I strongly recommend that every educator read this book.”

— DR. STEVE CONSTANTINO | AUTHOR OF ENGAGE EVERY FAMILY: FIVE SIMPLE PRINCIPLES, CHIEF ACADEMIC OFFICER, COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

 
 
“Powerful Partnerships is a to-the-point, engaging guide to building genuine, effective relationships with our students’ families. ‘When we build relationships based on trust and mutual respect, our children benefit enormously’—and Powerful Partnerships shows us how to accomplish exactly that.”

— JAMES FLANAGAN | FIFTH-GRADE TEACHER, GIRARD COLLEGE/RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL

 
 
“Powerful Partnerships makes it so very clear that family engagement is not just a ‘nice-to-have component’ but rather a ‘must-have essential’ for maximum student achievement. Read it and become enlightened and encouraged.”

— PHYLLIS C. HUNTER | AUTHOR OF THE QUOTE, “READING IS THE NEW CIVIL RIGHT!”

 

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