2026 Summer Symposium

We know the power of relationships, and we're believers. But what about the kids who seem to push us away--who resist relationship building? Why do they do this? In this session, we'll dig into why some kids struggle so much in school. We'll then explore some practical strategies (such as student-centric praise and what to do instead of incentivizing them) for building connections with our most prickly students--so we can support their academic, social, and emotional development.

At the heart of "The Power of Us" is the profound truth that no student should ever feel invisible; research consistently shows that a single positive connection with a trusted adult can be the turning point for a student’s success. This session explores Relationship Mapping, a strategic process designed to ensure every learner is connected to a staff member, beginning with a clear definition of the framework and its role in fostering equity. We will take a "look under the hood" at our school’s specific implementation journey—from the logistics of staff mapping sessions to the digital tools used for tracking—before discussing the tangible impact this has had on our school culture and student engagement. By shifting from a model of individual care to one of collective responsibility, attendees will learn how to catch at-risk students before they disengage and leave with a practical toolkit to begin elevating their own impact through the power of connection.

What if supporting students—and one another—wasn’t just about responding to trauma, but about building unwavering, positive relationships? This session explores Unconditional Positive Regard as both a classroom practice and a leadership stance: the commitment to see and value people—students and adults alike—beyond behavior, performance, or productivity.


Participants will shift from a deficit-based focus on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) toward cultivating Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs) and positive adult experiences by prioritizing connection, care, and joy. Educators and leaders don’t need to be clinicians to create healing spaces; therapeutic moments happen when people feel genuinely seen and supported.


Through interactive activities and reflection, we’ll explore how relationship-centered teaching, coaching, and leadership can transform schools into human-centered communities where both students and adults can thrive.

Disrespectful behavior, classroom disruption, and disengagement are among the most pressing challenges educators face today—particularly when working with students who have behavior issues and have historically experienced discipline through a lens of control rather than care. This high-impact session equips educators with research-based, culturally responsive strategies to transform challenging behavior into opportunities for growth, learning, and leadership.


Drawing from trauma-informed practices, neuroscience, and culturally sustaining pedagogy, participants will learn how to respond to disrespect without escalating conflict, protect their authority without damaging relationships, and establish classrooms rooted in structure, consistency, and belonging. Research shows that strong teacher-student relationships, clear expectations, and emotionally responsive instruction significantly improve behavior and academic outcomes diverse students and students who have trauma (Hammond, 2015; Ladson-Billings, 1995; Gregory et al., 2016).


Attendees will explore practical tools for de-escalation, restorative responses, executive-function support, and instructional strategies that increase engagement and reduce power struggles. Educators will leave empowered to manage classrooms with confidence, teach with clarity, and create learning environments where EACH student feels seen, valued, and capable of excellence.
This session is a call to shift from punishment to purpose and from compliance to connection.