Weaving Family Engagement Practices into Preservice Teacher Education: Supporting Future Educators in Partnering with Families from the Start

Abstract

This reflection of my practice arises from my background as an educator working with children and their families for over thirty years, as well as the professional learning I have engaged with throughout my career. In this reflective practice article, I focus on how family engagement knowledge and practices can be integrated into preservice teacher education courses by including outcomes addressing family engagement and providing immersive experiences with children and families in course content and assignments. Preservice teachers state that working with children and their families in these courses has significantly enhanced their learning and positively influenced their teaching philosophy and future practice. I use Schon’s conceptualization of reflective practice, the ability to reflect on one’s actions to facilitate continuous learning and improvement, in my own work as a practitioner. In this article, I demonstrate praxis and share specific examples from my practice to invite readers to use and adapt them for their own use and context.