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In a small town like ours, relationships aren’t just important—they’re everything. At Colorado ISD (Texas), we know that our strength lies in the bonds we build with families, neighbors, and one another.

That’s why attending the 2025 ÂÜÀòÍøAuthentic & Family Engagement Summit in Douglas County, Georgia from April 2–4 was so meaningful to our team. It gave us not only inspiration and tools—but a reminder of what makes communities like ours special.

Colorado ISD, Colorado City (Texas) Attendees, Pictured Left to Right: Dr. Larry Polk, Jr., Superintendent, Alison Alvarez, Family & Community Engagement Coordinator, Felsha’ Biggers, Family & Community Engagement Specialist, Denise Farmer, Assistant Superintendent

We joined district leaders from across the country to talk about something that often gets overshadowed by test scores and data: the power of human connection. We weren’t just talking about events or checklists—we were talking about listening, trust, and belonging. The summit challenged us to reimagine what it means to walk alongside families, not just as educators, but as partners.

Small Gestures, Big Returns.

We may not have big city resources, but we have something just as powerful—the ability to know our families, to understand their stories, and to meet them where they are.

One of the most powerful parts of the experience was visiting Arbor Station Elementary and other schools in the area. We saw how a welcoming smile in the front office, a note home in a parent’s native language, or a teacher taking time to listen could completely change the way families feel about school. In bigger districts, these might seem like small gestures—but in a rural place like ours, they are everything.

Douglas County Superintendent Trent North shared something that stuck with us:

“We tell them, ‘We don’t always get it right, but our goal is to get it right. When we don’t, here’s how we want you to communicate that to us so that we can figure out if we didn’t get it right—or if it’s just a misunderstanding."

That kind of honesty? That’s something we hold close to our hearts at Colorado ISD. We may not have big city resources, but we have something just as powerful—the ability to know our families, to understand their stories, and to meet them where they are.

Showing Up for Our Community

We left the summit with a Family Engagement Certification and a deeper commitment to our mission, grounded in our FACE motto: Empowering Families. Elevating Futures.

This motto is more than a slogan. It’s a reflection of how we show up for the people we serve. It reminds us that:

• A parent feeling heard can change a child’s day.
• A home visit can spark a breakthrough.
• A translator at a meeting can mean the difference between isolation and inclusion.
• A school that listens can become a place where families feel they belong.

Our next steps are already underway. We’re

• creating more opportunities for families to share their voices,
• providing staff with training on culturally responsive practices, and
• building bridges that will last far beyond a school year.

When families are empowered, students are too. And when we elevate futures, we lift our whole community.

At Colorado ISD, we believe every gesture matters. In a small district, a single act of empathy can ripple through a classroom, a household, and a neighborhood.

That’s the power of family engagement. That’s the heart of rural education. And that’s why we’re proud to say: We are Empowering Families. Elevating Futures.

Colorado ISD took part in this summit as part of AASA's Authentic Family Engagement Certification Program. Learn more about the program here.