What Every Educator Can Learn from School Social Workers
Practical strategies for connection, behavior, family partnership, and helping students be ready to learn.
The first weeks of school can tell us a lot.
Some students walk through the door ready to connect and learn. Others arrive carrying challenges we may never see—stress at home, mental health concerns, difficult relationships, attendance struggles, past experiences, or simply the feeling that school isn’t a place where they belong.
School social workers are uniquely trained to look beyond the behavior in front of us and understand the bigger picture surrounding a student. And there is a lot every educator can learn from that perspective.
Free Webinar for Educators
Thursday September 10th, 2026
1:00 – 2:00 PM MT | 12 PT | 2 CT | 3 ET
Join the School Social Work Association of America (SSWAA) and WhyTry
for a practical panel discussion with experienced school social work professionals about strategies educators can use to better understand students, strengthen relationships, respond to challenging behavior, and create the conditions students need to learn.
In this conversation, we’ll explore:
- Building trust before there’s a problem — simple ways to help students know there is an adult at school who sees them and cares about their success.
- Looking beyond the behavior — how understanding what may be happening underneath a student’s actions can change the way we respond.
- Strengthening family partnerships — approaches for communicating and collaborating with families, especially when relationships are difficult.
- Removing barriers to learning — recognizing the outside factors that can affect attendance, engagement, behavior, and academic performance.
- Creating greater connection at school — practical ways educators can help students feel safe, supported, and ready to participate.
You don’t have to be a school social worker to use these ideas.
About the School Social Work Association of America
The School Social Work Association of America (SSWAA) is the national organization supporting and advancing the profession of school social work. School social workers play an important role in connecting students, families, schools, and community resources while helping schools address barriers that can affect student learning and success.
Join us for this great discussion!
Thursday, September 10th, 2026
1:00 – 2:00 PM MT | 12 PT | 2 CT | 3 ET
Save your spot!
💬 Know a colleague who’d benefit? Share the link—this is a conversation every educator should be part of.
Meet our panelists:
Jason Johnson
Jason Johnson is a licensed school psychologist and Director of Training & Research for WhyTry, where he consults and trains educators nationwide on resilience-based strategies to support student success. A nationally recognized expert in resilience education, he has spoken at hundreds of conferences and led WhyTry program implementations in schools, healthcare, corporate settings, and the U.S. Military. Passionate about helping students overcome challenges, Jason is dedicated to creating a culture of resilience in education.
Christian Moore
Christian Moore, LCSW, is the founder of WhyTry and creator of the WhyTry Program, a resilience-based approach used by educators and youth-serving professionals to help students build motivation, engagement, and the skills to overcome challenges. A former educator and licensed clinical social worker, Christian is also a nationally recognized speaker and author known for translating resilience research into practical strategies that help adults connect with and support young people.