I engage families through a relationship-based approach.
Parenting is a uniquely vulnerable and complex experience. I entered family education after witnessing parents being talked to as though they were child development robots who could and should do exactly what the “experts” recommend. I see parents as developing adult human beings, each with their own unique experiences, perspectives, and circumstances that frame their parent-child interaction and processing of new information. That’s why I use a relationship-based approach to engaging and communicating with families. It is this foundation of trust and responsive, two-way communication that allows me to meet parents where they are and partner in determining how to address their challenges or achieve their goals.
Dual-generation approach.
Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) is a statewide, dual-generation, universal access program serving families birth to five in more than 330 school districts throughout Minnesota. ECFE is the only program in the world that requires a teaching license in parent and family education, which emphasizes a relationship-based approach to working with parents as adult learners. I became a licensed parent educator in 2008, and have been working with ECFE families, teachers, and programs ever since.
Trusting, Responsive Care
Outside of ECFE, I have applied my whole family relationship-based approach to working as an early intervention home visitor, special education para, nanny, parent coach, family engagement consultant, trainer and workshop facilitator.
