In a recent episode of the ShiftED Podcast, I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Debbie Pushor, a distinguished educator, researcher, and professor at the University of Saskatchewan. Dr. Pushor shared her insightful research on fostering positive relationships between schools and families through the concept of family engagement. Dr. Pushor characterizes her work as a “strategic and progressive approach” designed to develop “evidence-based methods and practices that hold significant potential for educational impact.” Her research delves into the critical notion of “parents and educators collaborating as partners in the learning and development of children and youth.”
Dr. Pushor’s passion lies in cultivating strong relationships between schools and families, the two most influential environments in a child’s life. This approach prioritizes the development of a caring and supportive partnership between these institutions. It is important to clarify that Dr. Pushor’s vision does not advocate for large-scale, systemic change. Instead, she emphasizes a “deliberate and incremental approach,” akin to building a foundation “one step at a time” or “bird by bird.” Through these thoughtful and focused actions, schools and families can effectively collaborate to empower students and maximize their potential.
As educators embark on a new school year, Dr. Pushor suggests prioritizing getting to know their students and their personal backgrounds. This initial step fosters a strong foundation for building positive and productive relationships.
I encourage you to explore Dr. Pushor’s extensive resources and research on her website: https://www.debbiepushor.ca/. Additionally, Dr. Pushor will be collaborating with CLC schools this year to implement her strategies for cultivating stronger school-family partnerships.️
