URL:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00131911.2024.2324154

In an educational landscape where the involvement of parents is increasingly recognized as pivotal to students' academic success and overall well-being, "Preparing teachers for parent engagement: role of teacher educators in Canada" emerges as a significant contribution to the discourse on fostering effective collaboration between teachers and parents. This article is essential reading for educators, policy makers, and anyone interested in the dynamics of parent-teacher relationships and their impact on educational outcomes.

The study presents the insights gleaned from interviews with Canadian teacher educators, offering a rare glimpse into the perspectives of those responsible for shaping the next generation of teachers. It explores the critical role that teacher educators play in preparing aspiring teachers for one of the most nuanced aspects of their professional responsibilities: engaging with parents.

Despite acknowledging the importance of readiness for parent engagement as a vital competency for teachers, the teacher educators interviewed expressed concerns about the challenges of integrating parent engagement strategies into the already crowded curriculum of teacher education programs. This highlights a significant gap in teacher preparation that, if addressed, could enhance educational outcomes and foster a more collaborative school environment.

The paper makes a compelling case for the adoption of an integrated parent engagement framework, suggesting that such a framework should be centered around comprehensive parent engagement policies. These policies would not only support the inclusion of parent engagement in teacher education programs but also ensure that these competencies are a requirement for teacher certification.

"Preparing teachers for parent engagement: role of teacher educators in Canada" is a thought-provoking read that underscores the necessity of embedding parent engagement into the fabric of teacher education. By offering practical recommendations for bridging the existing gap, the article serves as a roadmap for enhancing teacher preparation in this vital area, ultimately contributing to the creation of a more inclusive and effective educational ecosystem. It invites educators, policy makers, and the wider educational community to reconsider and reaffirm the value of parent engagement in shaping students' educational journeys.