If you oversee district communication or support frontline staff who interact with families
every day, this track is designed for you. Learn how to strengthen key communication touchpoints, equip staff for everyday and challenging interactions, and build systems that make great customer
service the standard.
Use the
green registration
button above to
register.
Track Overview
At a time when trust in public education is fragile and expectations
for transparency, responsiveness, and partnership continue to grow, districts are being challenged to rethink how they engage families and communities.
The Family & Community Engagement (FACE) track is designed for
communications professionals, engagement leaders, and district administrators who want to move beyond one-way outreach and build stronger, more meaningful relationships with families and community
stakeholders. This experience focuses on how engagement, communication, and leadership intersect to shape trust, strengthen decision-making, and support student success.
Participants will explore practical strategies for aligning engagement
efforts across departments, designing systems that support authentic partnership, and creating sustainable practices that strengthen relationships over time. Through real-world examples,
collaborative discussion, and actionable planning, participants will leave with tools and frameworks they can immediately apply within their own districts and communities.
Course Facilitator: Patricia Weinzapfel, Founder and CEO,
Patricia Weinzapfel
Communications and Consulting
Program Dates and Topics
Module 1: Thursday, January 21, 2027 (12 - 2 p.m. ET, Virtual):
From
Outreach to Engagement
Many districts communicate
frequently with families and community members, but communication alone does not automatically create trust, connection, or engagement. This module explores the difference between outreach,
involvement, and authentic engagement, and challenges participants to rethink how districts build relationships with families and communities. Participants will examine common barriers to engagement,
explore the role of trust and belonging, and identify ways districts can create more meaningful opportunities for listening, partnership, and shared understanding.
Guest
Presenter: TBD
Module 2: Thursday, February 18, 2027 (12 - 2 p.m. ET, Virtual): Aligning Leadership, Communication and Engagement
Effective engagement depends on alignment between leadership,
communication, and engagement efforts, whether those responsibilities are shared across multiple departments or managed by a single individual wearing many hats. This module focuses on creating a
more intentional and coordinated approach to engagement across district systems, communication practices, and decision-making processes. Participants will explore how engagement can be embedded into
strategic planning, leadership communication, and organizational culture in ways that strengthen trust, clarity, and community understanding.
Guest
Presenter: TBD
Module 3: Thursday, March 25, 2027 (12 - 2 p.m. ET, Virtual): Designing
Engagement Systems That Last
Sustainable
engagement depends on systems, structures, and shared ownership, not just individual effort or one-time events. This module focuses on building long-term engagement practices that can grow and adapt
over time. Participants will explore strategies for developing repeatable processes, strengthening community partnerships, reducing engagement fatigue, and building systems that support meaningful
participation across the district.
Guest
Presenter: TBD
Module 4: Thursday, April 22, 2027 (12 - 2 p.m. ET, Virtual): Demonstrating Impact: Telling the Story of
Engagement
Engagement
efforts are most powerful when their impact is visible, understood, and connected to district priorities. This module focuses on how districts can document, measure, and communicate the value of
family and community engagement in ways that build trust, strengthen support, and reinforce engagement as a strategic district priority. Participants will explore how to move beyond participation
counts by identifying meaningful indicators of success, using authentic stories and feedback to demonstrate impact, building champions across the district and community, and establishing priorities
for advancing engagement efforts beyond the Academy.
Guest
Facilitator: TBD
Full program registrants will receive calendar invites for each module after registration.
Pricing and Registration
Full
program (Use the
green registration
button above to
register):
- $599
Members, $799 Non-Members
Single
modules (Register for individual
modules):
- $199
Members, $249 Non-Members