Harmonious Schools, Society Explored in Fielding University Press’ Parents and Teachers in a Changing World

A positive engagement between parents and teachers has been proven to improve student performance, but today, that relationship is increasingly under pressure from social and political tensions. Topics such as LGBTQIA+ issues, critical race theory, remote learning and book bans have made this engagement more important than ever.

In response, Andrés Versage, Ed.D., a school administrator and Leadership for Change (‘23) doctoral graduate of Fielding Graduate University, addresses these challenges in Parents and Teachers in a Changing World (Fielding University Press; ISBN-13: 979-8991258005).

Versage uses a variety of fascinating, real-life case studies to show how we can turn the parent/teacher relationship into an alliance that creates more caring and effective schools. In facing the challenges of the moment, this book shares practical, positive steps that each of us can take to make our schools and society more harmonious. In doing so, Versage argues that the transformation of the parent/teacher engagement through a community-centered approach can save public education from the havoc of our culture wars, no matter where we live.

“Parents and Teachers in a Changing World is an important book, and more than that, an important call to action,” said Janet Goodall, Professor of Education, Swansea University. “Based on the author’s Ed.D. work, and rooted in community conversations with parents, the book examines the concepts of parental engagement in learning – but goes beyond this, to situate that engagement in the current political climate, urging parents, teachers, school staff and all community members to work together, critically, knowingly, to support not just the learning of children and young people in school now, but the systems of public education itself.”

Mary Louise Gomez, Professor Emerita, University of Wisconsin-Madison adds, “Versage offers fresh ideas for transforming how teachers and administrators engage families in schooling that celebrates their children’s cultures, knowledge and skills, propelling them toward further academic success.”

Parents and Teachers in a Changing World is now available for $24.95 on Amazon and other online retailers. To request a review copy of the book, please contact Kaylin R. Staten at kstaten@fielding.edu or 805.898.4076.