When Dr. Victorie Thomas stepped into the role of principal at Patterson Elementary, she saw more than classrooms and curriculum, but an opportunity to build meaningful connections with an eager community. Families cared deeply about their children’s success but needed a bridge between home and school.
“We knew families wanted to be involved,” Dr. Thomas reflected. “They just hadn’t always known how, or hadn’t felt invited in. We needed to change that.”
With that belief, Patterson began a new chapter—one grounded in trust, collaboration, and shared leadership. In partnership with Flamboyan, Dr. Thomas and her team embraced a vision where family engagement is a central part of the school’s culture.
A Strategic Start
Alongside Assistant Principal Fatima Johnson, Dr. Thomas set out to build that home-school bridge. Together, they envisioned a school where families walked alongside their children in every part of their learning journey.
At first, family involvement was minimal. “There was a time when our parents didn’t have a voice,” Dr. Thomas recalled. For many, the academic content felt unfamiliar, and systemic barriers, such as work schedules and transportation, made it difficult to attend in person. What was missing wasn’t interest or care. It was access, trust, and strategy that honored families.
Establishing a Partnership with Parents
The Family Engagement Leadership Team (FELT) helped guide the school’s strategy. This team provided the structure and autonomy necessary to make engagement consistent and meaningful, integrating it into daily practice.
The path forward required a cultural shift. That meant unpacking biases about what engagement “looks like,” challenging assumptions that visible presence equaled involvement, and learning to recognize and celebrate all forms of partnership.
“Every parent is not able to physically come into the building—and that’s okay,” said Ms. Johnson. “We had to redefine what real engagement looks like.”
The Patterson team began with home visits, building relationships on families’ terms. That laid the groundwork for academic partnering, where families and teachers meet to co-create learning goals, discuss data, and engage in hands-on activities that can be used at home. Families contribute and come back later in the year to reflect on progress, reinforcing that their partnership is meaningful and ongoing.
Creating a Culture of Collaboration
This new approach to family engagement is intentional, inclusive, and data-driven. The FELT meets frequently to analyze family engagement data and offer real-time support to grade bands. Every teacher is expected to complete academic partnering with at least 85% of their students’ families, and this goal remains at the forefront.
Through it all, the staff’s mindset has shifted.What began as a partnership with Flamboyan has evolved into a shared school-wide commitment. “Now they’re seeing the fruits of their labor,” said Ms. Johnson. “Parents are calling teachers for homework support. They’ve opened another door.”
In addition to these deeper relationships between families and educators, Patterson is also seeing new faces, including more fathers and caregivers, reinforcing that when a school prioritizes family engagement, it opens the doors to new relationships for everyone involved in a student’s life.
Build First, Then Partner
Dr. Thomas and Ms. Johnson are quick to offer guidance for others just beginning this journey. “Start by building relationships, said Ms. Johnson. “Understand your own biases and how they shape your approach. Every parent wants the best for their child—your job is to meet them where they are.”
Dr. Thomas adds: “Be clear on your ‘why.’ If family engagement isn’t strong in your community, get coaching, build your team, and stay committed to the work. When parents feel trusted and seen, they will partner with you in powerful ways.”
Redefining What’s Possible
“Patterson has family engagement so deeply rooted in their culture, I almost feel like a guest in their process,” said Patterson’s School Partnership Coach Tenea Harris-Nance. “They’ve got this now. I’m super proud that they’re seeing the fruits of their hard work.”
Having recently “graduated” from the FEP, Patterson is proof that when schools lead with trust, build intentional systems, and center families as co-educators, real transformation follows. Family engagement is a schoolwide strategy, and it’s changing lives.
Learn more about the FEP here.