S2:E4 - The Power of Family Engagement w/ Ernesto Mejia
S2 #4

S2:E4 - The Power of Family Engagement w/ Ernesto Mejia

Hosts Will and Jordan talk with Ernesto Mejia (CoolSpeak) about moving from family involvement to true engagement. Ernesto shares why relationships—not just meetings—unlock student success, how to remove barriers for busy or multilingual families, and practical, low-cost ways schools can make engagement fun, inclusive and sustainable across all grade levels.

🔑 Key Takeaways

✔️ Involvement ≠ Engagement: Attendance is not the goal—relationship-building is.
✔️ Lead with positives: Routine positive phone calls build trust for tougher conversations later.
✔️ Meet families where they are: Consider work schedules, language, tech comfort, and transportation.
✔️ If it could be an email, it’s not engagement: Use meetings for interaction, not one-way info dumps.
✔️ The “Golden Triangle”: Students + caregivers + school staff working together multiplies impact.
✔️ Hybrid wins: Pair short videos/virtual touchpoints with purposeful in-person experiences.
✔️ Talk like humans: Replace acronyms with needs-based titles (e.g., “How to Pay for College” vs. “FAFSA Night”).
✔️ Iterate boldly: Try, learn, and improve—stop doing the same meeting and expecting new results.


💬 Memorable Quotes

🗣️“If it could have been an email, it’s not family engagement.”
🗣️“Don’t ask of families without giving first.”
🗣️“Once we become professionals at failing, we’ll become excellent at succeeding.”
🗣️“The Golden Triangle—students, families, and schools—raises the odds of success.”



🧠 Strategies You’ll Learn
  • Design for engagement: Turn info into activities (e.g., app sign-up stations, bingo cards that require conversations, quick wins families complete on-site).
  • Make it positive & predictable: Schedule “good news” calls/texts every 4–8 weeks per student.
  • Reframe events: Rename with outcomes families actually want (“Paying for College,” “Launch Your Trade Career,” “Math Night: Parent–Student Challenges”).
  • Use hybrid formats: 2–3 minute explainer videos or student-made TikToks/podcasts for info; in-person for relationship building.
  • Activate internal talent: Students as media teams; staff who excel at MC’ing, Canva, or social lead segments.
  • Culturally responsive touches: Bilingual messaging, name pronunciation, student/family voice at the mic.

👁️‍🗨️ Additional Practices
  • Family History Quiz: Send home 5–7 prompts (e.g., “What were you like at my age?”) to deepen connection and surface college/career insights.
  • Golden Triangle Nights: Plan events that include students, caregivers, and multiple school roles (e.g., bonfire/info night, club fair + mini-workshops).
  • Earned Incentives (no extra budget): Priority access to giveaways (backpacks, supplies) for families who volunteer or attend 2–3 events.
  • Two-Solutions Rule: When a barrier arises (“Families aren’t coming”), require two tested solutions before the next meeting.
  • Show Up First: Short personalized video/text to caregivers (or quick sideline/church/park hello) before asking them to come to you.
  • Rename & Clarify: Ban unexplained acronyms on flyers; add “What you’ll get” bullets to every invite.
  • Short, Shareable Media: Weekly 60–120 sec student-hosted update or 10-minute podcast for caregivers’ commutes.
  • Positive Mail Drop: Occasional postcard home celebrating a specific behavior or contribution.
  • On-Ramp Stations: At events, set up guided stations (log into the app, send a test message, complete one career/FAFSA step).
  • Feedback that Works: Replace broad surveys with 3-question, QR-based pulse checks at the door and exit.

📚 Resources and Links

🔗 Ernesto Mejia’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ernmejia/?hl=en
🔗 Check out Ernesto at the next Innovative Schools Summit: https://innovativeschoolssummit.com/san-antonio

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