At the 2025 National GEAR UP Academy, one of the impactful sessions was “Parent Partnerships: Moving Theory to Practice,” presented by Sarah Zyburt who leads the work of the National Center for Family & Parent Leadership, powered by the Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC), and Jacob Pinney-Johnson. Their session highlighted the essential role of parents and caregivers in shaping student success and provided practical strategies for fostering meaningful partnerships between families and educational systems.
Sarah Zyburt, Program Manager at the National Center for Family & Parent Leadership, shared insights on how to engage parents as leaders and change agents, emphasizing the power of equitable collaboration between educators and families. Co-presenter Jacob Pinney-Johnson brought valuable expertise on building trust, sustaining engagement, and ensuring that family voices are heard in educational decision-making.
By bringing families into decision making as active participants in their children’s education, this session helped to share tools and resources to bridge gaps between schools and communities—a critical step in ensuring that students thrive academically and beyond.
The 2025 National GEAR UP Academy once again proved to be a powerful space for educators and advocates to share ideas, strengthen connections, and develop strategies that will continue to impact students and families for years to come.
Learn more about ECIC’s National Center for Family and Parent Leadership and connect with our team of experts.