The Heart of Family Engagement: Talk Moves for Trust-Building During Conferences and Home Visits

• In Event: New Avenues for Teacher Education

Abstract

Authentic family engagement in elementary schools depends on trusting relationships between families and educators. Teacher candidates need support to develop the specific skills and dispositions to engage with families in productive, respectful ways. In this study, we examined 132 transcripts of candidates’ simulated home visits and parent-teacher conferences to identify patterns in candidates’ responses to caregiver disclosures. We found that, in addition to some problematic responses, candidates engaged in three types of partnership-building responses: family-focused, child-focused, and school-focused. This work has implications for the support of future teachers to develop a repertoire of effective talk moves and for researchers working to understand the nuances of interactions with families.

Authors

• Judy Paulick, University of Virginia
  Presenting Author

• Rose Sebastian, University of Virginia
  Presenting Author

• Charlotte DeHaven Blain, University of Virginia
  Presenting Author