Congratulations to Catherine Addor who on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, successfully defended her dissertation. The title of Catherine’s dissertation is: “NO ONE TRAINED US FOR THIS": A NARRATIVE INQUIRY INTO PARENT/CAREGIVER ENGAGEMENT AND THE COVID-19 GLOBAL PANDEMIC.
This qualitative narrative inquiry explored how these experiences during the pandemic shaped and have continued to influence parent/caregiver–teacher partnerships in K–12 schools in the Mid-Hudson Valley region of New York. Framed by Bronfenbrenner’s (1979) ecological systems theory and informed by conceptual frameworks of social support, parent engagement, and family–school partnerships, this study captured the lived experiences of parents and caregivers navigating the complexities of remote and hybrid learning during a time of crisis. Data were collected through semi structured interviews and artifact collection, including visual materials such as schedules and drawings, to provide a rich understanding of participants’ experiences and adaptations. Findings reveal key themes related to perceived challenges and barriers to engagement, shifts in parent and caregiver roles, communication and instructional support adaptations, and evolving expectations for future partnerships with educators. A major finding indicates that while many parents and caregivers became more directly involved in their children’s education during the pandemic, the level of engagement varied significantly based on access to resources, technological literacy, and school communication practices. The study highlights the critical role of social support networks in mitigating these challenges and underscores ongoing disparities in access to educational resources. It emphasizes the need for schools to foster inclusive and flexible family engagement practices that acknowledge diverse caregiving arrangements and contextual realities shaped by crises such as the pandemic. The implications of this study inform policy and practice by offering recommendations for strengthening family–school collaboration, enhancing remote learning infrastructures, and promoting equitable engagement strategies that can be sustained beyond periods of disruption.
DISSERTATION COMMITTEE CHAIR(S):
Dr. Nora Broege
DISSERTATION COMMITTEE MEMBER(S):
Dr. Peter Troiano
Dr. Charity Anderson
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