Family and community partnerships are among the strongest predictors of student success, yet many educators report receiving limited preparation in this area. While MEA continues to advocate for stronger family engagement training in educator preparation programs, we have partnered with a Portland member content creator and Count ME In! to offer free professional learning for members.
Sign up today at MEA’s Learning Hub today, it is FREE for members!
Our Family and Community Engagement series is based on the National Association for Family, School, and Community Engagement (NAFSCE)’s 8 Core Competencies and is organized into four domains: Reflect, Connect, Collaborate, and Lead Alongside Families. Members can take individual courses or complete the full series based on their professional learning goals.
Respect
In this course, participants will strengthen their current family engagement practices by focusing on how to RESPECT, HONOR, and VALUE the families they serve. Participants will explore the history of family, school, and community engagement, examine personal and systemic biases that can influence interactions with families, and identify strategies to better support underserved communities.
Upon completion learners will earn 7 hours that can be used towards state recertification.
Connect
Educators will learn strategies to build mutual trust, engage families through strengths‑based and non‑judgmental practices, and create welcoming school environments. The course also emphasizes equitable outreach and meaningful collaboration with community partners to support student learning and family well‑being. Participants will assess their current engagement practices and develop actionable steps to strengthen family and community connections.
Upon completion learners will earn 7 hours that can be used towards state recertification.
Collaborate
Participants will reflect on and strengthen their current approaches to family engagement by recognizing families’ knowledge as valuable resources for learning; partnering with families to plan, implement, and evaluate learning opportunities; making data accessible and easy to understand; communicating clearly about children’s developmental and academic progress; and connecting school experiences to learning at home and in the community.
Upon completion learners will earn 5 hours that can be used towards state recertification.
Lead Alongside Families
In this course, participants will reflect on and strengthen their current practices for partnering with families, with a specific focus on advocacy. This module underscores the importance of continuous professional learning for family-facing professionals and emphasizes the integration of advocacy skills within the classroom, school, and broader community. By developing these competencies, educators and practitioners can better promote positive outcomes for both students and families.
Upon completion, learners will earn 5 hours toward recertification.
MEA is pleased to partner with Count ME In! to provide members professional learning around attendance practices.
Attendance Basics by Count ME In!
This course was developed in collaboration with Count ME In! Count ME In! is a Maine non-profit with a mission to increase student attendance through data-driven strategies so that every child is an engaged, successful learner. Count ME In! was founded through community collaboration and partnership in 2013 in Southern Maine. They now work statewide providing coaching, training, and technical support to Maine schools. They also partner with state and local organizations, including the MEA to be sure that they are addressing the needs of those with lived experience.
Upon completion, learners can earn 6 hours toward state recertification.
Also be sure to check out the Count ME In! Everyone Counts raffle. Every day all of your students are present, you are eligible to enter and win a classroom prize box from Box of Maine!
