Dr. Darla Edwards is an educator, researcher, author, and nationally recognized family engagement expert who has more than two decades helping schools, districts, educators, and families build stronger partnerships that support student success.
Her career has spanned the classroom, school leadership, research, entrepreneurship, and public service. A former teacher and principal and State Board of Education member, Dr. Edwards has worked with hundreds of schools and educators, developing training, resources, and innovative approaches to help educators engage families as meaningful partners in their child’s learning.
Dr. Edwards earned her Doctor of Education from the College of William & Mary, where her research focused on family engagement and family efficacy. Her work continues to bridge research and practice, translating evidence into practical strategies educators and family engagement professionals can use in real-world settings.
Dr. Edwards co-founded the National Family Engagement Summit to create a space where educators, family engagement professionals, researchers, community leaders, and other practitioners could come together to learn, exchange ideas, and advance the field. The Summit has grown into a national convening focused on strengthening family, school, and community partnerships. She later founded the FACE Learning Network to extend that experience beyond an annual conference. Her vision was to create a year-round professional home where those responsible for family and community engagement could access high quality professional learning, practical resources, emerging research, expert perspectives, national events, and just as importantly – one another.
Dr. Edwards is helping to advance conversations about how artificial intelligence can support family and school partnerships while preserving the relationships, trust, cultural responsiveness, and human connection at the heart of effective family engagement.
Dr. Edwards believes the next chapter of family engagement requires professionals who are equipped not only with effective strategies, but also with the relationships, research, technology, professional community, and ongoing learning necessary to respond to a rapidly changing educational landscape.