Join host April F. Draine as she chats with ParentCamp Vice President Laura Gilchrist and seasoned ParentCamp Coach Emily Howell in this insightful episode. Emily shares her journey from being an educator involved with EdCamps to becoming a pivotal part of the ParentCamp movement. Learn about the magic of ParentCamp’s dialogue-driven model, the transformative power of sitting in circles instead of rows, and how intentional relationship-building can significantly bridge gaps between schools, parents, and communities. Emily provides compelling stories of personal growth, authentic community-building, and the positive impact ParentCamp has…
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The ParentCamp Podcast – Season 1 – Episode 5 – Empowering Parents: A Superintendent’s Perspective on Building Engaged School Communities with Dr. Randy Poe
In this episode of The ParentCamp Podcast, host April F. Draine is joined by Julie Pile, ParentCamp President and special guest Dr. Randy Poe, Executive Director of the Northern Kentucky Education Council and former Superintendent of Boone County Schools. Dr. Poe shares his invaluable perspective on fostering meaningful partnerships between parents, schools, and communities. Drawing on his 38 years in education, Dr. Poe highlights the importance of treating parents as partners, empowering them to take leadership roles, and creating a culture of trust and collaboration. The conversation delves into Dr.…
Read MoreThe ParentCamp Podcast – Season 1 – Episode 4 – Purposeful Time and Space for Relationship Building – Releases at Noon on Wednesday, February 19, 2025
In this heartfelt and insightful episode of The ParentCamp Podcast, hosts April F. Draine, Julie Pile and Laura Gilchrist dive into the transformative power of building relationships between parents, teachers, and schools. They explore how intentional, meaningful connections can go beyond traditional family engagement events to create ongoing impacts that resonate with children, families, and educators alike. Through personal stories, practical advice, and a deep focus on universal human needs, the hosts shed light on the importance of creating opportunities for relationships to grow. Whether it’s through proactive parent-teacher conversations,…
Read MoreBuilding Connections: Highlights from Sussex Montessori’s December ParentCamp & A Look Ahead to February!
Written by Jay Posick, ParentCamp Coach On December 12, 2024 from 5:30-7:30PM, Sussex Montessori hosted their second ParentCamp of the 2024-2025 school year. It was a downright amazing evening! 26 people signed in at registration, including 10 children, but it felt like we had more than that due to the wonderful conversations before we started, during the sessions, and at dinner. ParentCamp is a tremendous opportunity to speak with other families, school staff, and the community about topics of interest. The groups meet in circles that are meant to provide…
Read MoreParentCamp Podcast – Season 1 – Episode 2 – Four Surprising Things Parents Want for Family-School Connection – Releases at noon on Wednesday, January 22nd
Season 1 Episode 2 of The ParentCamp Podcast releases at noon on Wednesday, January 22nd. In this heartfelt and insightful episode of The ParentCamp Podcast, Podcast Host April F. Draine and ParentCamp Vice-President Laura Gilchrist dive into the essence of what parents truly long for in family-school-community engagement. From fostering authentic relationships to re-imagining communication, Laura unveils four key desires that may “surprise and delight” educators and families alike. She shares compelling stories of transformation through the ParentCamp model, emphasizing the power of circles, dialogue, and shared experiences to build…
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