TEACHERTALK: WALKING ALONGSIDE FAMILIES

Student-Teacher-Parent Relationships
September 3, 2026
7:00 PM ET

Strong partnerships between educators and families play a vital role in helping students thrive. When teachers and parents work together, they create a supportive learning environment that extends beyond the classroom and empowers students to reach their full potential.

In this session, we’ll explore strategies for building meaningful, collaborative relationships with families. Our panel of LifeChangers will discuss practical ways to strengthen school-home connections, foster trust and open communication, and recognize the valuable knowledge that parents bring to their child's educational journey.

Whether you're looking to deepen family engagement, improve communication, or create more inclusive partnerships, you'll leave with actionable ideas to help every family feel seen, heard, and valued.

Meet Our Participants

  • Engineering Teacher
    Clark County School District
    2023-24 LifeChanger of the Year Grand Prize Winner

    Ekuwah Mends Moses is a national award-winning educator, published author-illustrator of two nonfiction picture books, and an international keynote speaker. Ekuwah is a specialist who teaches K-5th-grade engineering to approximately 750 students in North Las Vegas, Nevada.

  • Director
    The Met's Center for Entrepreneurship
    2024-25 LifeChanger Award Winner

    Jodie is the Director of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at The Metropolitan Regional Career and Technical Center (The Met), where she founded the first freestanding public high school entrepreneurship center in the United States. She has spent more than two decades empowering students through innovative, real-world learning. A nationally recognized educator and leader, she has guided students to national and global entrepreneurship honors while championing community engagement, social entrepreneurship, and lifelong learning.

  • Adapted Physical Education Teacher
    Detroit Public Schools Community District
    2024-25 LifeChanger Award Winner

    Sydney is an adapted physical education teacher with the Detroit Public Schools Community District, where she creates inclusive opportunities for students of all abilities and helps inspire a lifelong love of health, fitness, and sports. A passionate athlete and leader, she also plays for the Detroit Prowl women's tackle football team, helping lead the team to an undefeated season, a national championship, and a world title in her rookie year.

National Life Group® is a trade name of National Life Insurance Company, Montpelier, VT, Life Insurance Company of the Southwest, Addison, TX and their affiliates. Each company of National Life Group is solely responsible for its own financial condition and contractual obligations. Life Insurance Company of the Southwest is not an authorized insurer in New York and does not conduct insurance business in New York.

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