Former BPAA President Collado Releases New Book on Family Engagement

Dr. Washington “Nino” Collado, former president of the Broward Principals’ and Assistants’ Association (BPAA) and 2021 Broward County Principal of the Year, has released a new book, Empowered Families, Thriving Students, which explores how authentic partnerships between schools and families can drive student success.

Drawing from more than 17 years as a principal and decades of leadership experience, Dr. Collado outlines a framework for building meaningful collaboration among educators, parents and communities. The book emphasizes that when families are empowered to engage in their children’s education, students are more likely to thrive academically, socially and emotionally.

“Family engagement is not an add-on—it’s the foundation,” Collado said. “When educators and parents work together, we unlock the full potential of every child.”

The book has already received strong praise from education leaders. John Hardman of Florida Atlantic University described it as “a very practical approach to engaging families as authentic partners in the education of their children. The authors present a strong case for student success that is grounded in a systematic plan of action that engages all the collaborators who shape students’ experiences and learning environments.”

BPAA Executive Director Lisa Maxwell congratulated Dr. Collado on the release, saying, “Dr. Collado’s dedication to educational excellence and his belief in the power of family partnerships continue to inspire our community.

In addition to serving as BPAA president, Dr. Collado was named Broward County Public Schools Principal of the Year in 2021 for his leadership and dedication to student achievement. He currently serves as an adjunct professor at Florida Atlantic University, where he teaches courses on educational leadership.

For more information or to order, visit https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/author/washington-b-collado