It's Not (Only) What You Know: Educators' and Community Members' Experiences Collaborating Through Social Networks

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 10
  In Roundtable Session: Culturally Responsive Practices for School/Community Partnerships

Abstract

This qualitative comparative case study examines the impact of social networks on community engagement. Eighty participants (directors of education, superintendents, administrators, teachers, parents, community members) from two districts in a southern Ontario region participated in individual open-ended, 45-minute interviews. Observations were conducted, and documents were collected. Participants accessed instrumental resources such as money, information and goods through social networks. They also used friends’ and colleagues’ networks to access resources, highlighting a liaison’s role in connecting individuals. Trust-building promoted confidence in others’ reliability, encouraging future networking opportunities. Formal networks assisted educators who experienced difficulty developing relationships on their own; however, mandated relationships were unsustainable over time. Findings extend research by examining an important facilitator of administrators’, educators’ and community members’ collaboration.

Author

• Catherine Hands, Brock University