


All schools should have a welcoming and engaging school culture that emphasizes building relationships with families and stresses the importance of going to class every day. School leaders can promote this approach and lead staff in consistently sending the message that attendance matters. This workshop will highlight specific practices that help establish a school-wide culture of attendance that emphasizes engaging all families. Examples of best practices and resources will be shared with all participants to implement in their school.

Dr. Tamara Huff is a Project Coordinator with the Kansas Parent Information Resource Center (KPIRC). Prior to joining the KPIRC family, she served for 10 years as the Family and Community Network Specialist for the largest school district in Kansas. Tammy received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas, a master's degree from Kansas State University, and her EdD in Educational Leadership from Wichita State University. Tammy’s commitment to diversity and equity initiatives strengthens her desire for inclusive engagement of ALL families in topics ranging from accreditation, attendance, education standards, and educator preparation as she provides professional development and technical assistance to leaders in Kansas schools and districts. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta, a public service sorority. Tammy also serves as President of the Wichita National Panhellenic Council (NPHC), as a National Director for the University of Kansas Alumni Association, and is the immediate past president of the KU Black Alumni Network.
Dr. Jane Groff has served as the Director of the Kansas Parent Information Resource Center (KPIRC) for seventeen years. While supervising all KPIRC priorities, Dr. Groff provides professional development and technical assistance on family engagement in education to Kansas districts and schools. She also provides trainings for families on parent leadership, parent advocacy and family engagement in education. She is a certified teacher in early childhood education, elementary education, and special education K-12. She taught for 25 years in both general and special education classrooms. Jane has earned a Masters degree in Education and a Ph.D. in Special Education from the University of Kansas. Jane’s passion is to increase meaningful family engagement in all schools. On a personal note, Jane has been married for 46 years to her husband Dave and raised three children. Jane is nana to 8 grandbabies!