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Student Achievement Webinar

The Relationship Advantage for Attendance, Engagement, and Achievement

Thu., October 22, 2026, 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. ET
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Schools are being asked to improve attendance, address behavior, strengthen engagement and accelerate academic achievement, even when many factors are beyond their control. Stronger relationships can help schools make progress on all these priorities—and every school can build them every day.

This practitioner-led conversation brings together district leaders, school staff and classroom educators to talk candidly about making strong relationships part of how a school works—not just something that happens at the beginning of the year.

Through real stories, relatable perspectives and practical examples from the district office to the classroom, speakers will share what works, what gets in the way and how they keep relationship-building going beyond back-to-school. Attendees will leave with practical solutions and ideas for building stronger relationships—and support attendance, engagement, and achievement—in their own schools and districts.

Speakers
Dr. Esther Deth
School Wellness & College Preparation Coordinator,  Long Beach Unified School District
Dr. Esther Deth coordinates programs and curriculum in the Long Beach Unified School District to support student well-being and college preparation. She’s supported the implementation of Sanford Harmony across 50+ elementary schools in her district.
Connie Michael
Fifth-Grade Teacher,  Crow Agency Public School, Crow Agency, MT
Connie Michael is a fifth-grade teacher at Crow Agency Public School, a remote rural public elementary school located on the Crow Reservation. A member of the Sanford Harmony Education Advisory Group, she integrates relationship-building and social-emotional learning into collaborative science and exploration activities. In 2025, she received the $27,000 Voya Unsung Heroes grand prize for Indigi-STEAM, a program connecting Indigenous culture with science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.
Tom Whisinnand
Fifth-Grade Teacher,  Neihardt Elementary School, Millard Public Schools, Omaha, NE
Tom Whisinnand is a fifth-grade teacher at Neihardt Elementary School in Millard Public Schools. He believes a caring classroom community is the foundation for student success. He first piloted Harmony in his classroom in 2016 and helped support its districtwide implementation in 2018. A member of the Sanford Harmony Education Advisory Group, he was named National University Teacher of the Year in 2020.
Laressa Dent
Elementary School Counselor,  Cannaday Elementary, Mesquite ISD
With 14 years in education and 8 years as a school counselor, Laressa Dent is dedicated to supporting the academic, social and emotional success of students in Pre-K 3 through 5th grade. Her work includes delivering guidance lessons, providing individual and group counseling, and ensuring the successful implementation of Harmony lessons across the campus to promote positive relationships and a supportive learning environment.
Moderator
Dr. Ruby Ababio-Fernandez
Sanford Scholar; Superintendent in Residence,  McGraw Hill
Dr. Ruby Ababio-Fernandez brings more than 23 years of experience in education and leadership, including senior roles at the New York City Leadership Academy and the New York City Department of Education. She currently serves as Superintendent in Residence at McGraw Hill. She holds a doctorate in urban educational leadership from Teachers College, Columbia University.
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Education Week is serving only as the host for this presentation. The content was created by the sponsor. The opinions expressed in this webinar are those of the sponsor and do not reflect the opinion of or constitute an endorsement by Editorial Projects in Education or any of its publications.

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This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
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Student Achievement Webinar
The Relationship Advantage for Attendance, Engagement, and Achievement
Relationship-building goes beyond back-to-school. Get practical ideas from district leaders and educators to strengthen student connections.
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