“Belonging Before Achievement: Why Connection Is the Key to Engagement, Attendance, and Resilience”
Free Live Webinar for K–12 Educators
Across the country, schools are facing the same challenges:
Chronic absenteeism – Students who are physically present but emotionally checked out – Rising behavioral concerns – A fragile school climate
Many interventions focus on consequences, incentives, or compliance. But what if the root issue is disconnection?
Join WhyTry and the National Alternative Education Association (NAEA) for a candid panel discussion with school leaders who are seeing real improvements in attendance, engagement, and behavior — not by adding another initiative, but by strengthening student connection at the core.
Missed the Webinar?
Watch it here
In this conversation, we’ll explore:
- Why belonging is foundational to student resilience
- Early indicators that a student is disengaging
- The connection between belonging, attendance, and academic performance
- What belonging looks like in real classrooms and alternative settings
- How alternative schools are restoring connection after conflict or harm
- Leadership moves that create culture-wide impact
- Practical strategies educators can implement immediately
This session is especially relevant for school leaders, alternative education programs, counselors, and mental health professionals working with students who have experienced trauma, instability, or repeated school failure.
Why This Matters Now
Students today are navigating unprecedented social, emotional, and academic pressures. Schools are being asked to increase performance while also addressing attendance and mental health challenges.
Belonging isn’t a “nice extra.” It’s a resilience strategy.
- They show up.
- They participate.
- They persist.
- They believe they can succeed
💬 Know a colleague who’d benefit? Share the link—this is a conversation every educator should be part of.
This Is a Live, Interactive Discussion
We encourage you to join us live and participate in the chat. Bring your questions, your experiences, and your ideas. This is a conversation — not just a presentation.
Meet our panelists:
Dr. Coby Davis
Dr. Coby Davis, Principal of Archer Learning Center, is a veteran educator with 25 years of experience spanning childhood and adult learning. A former professor and behavior interventionist, he specializes in equipping teachers with the confidence to implement modern instructional techniques. Beyond the classroom, Dr. Davis is a dedicated community advocate, currently serving as President of the Northwest Arkansas NAACP and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. As a recognized leader in his field, he is a frequent speaker at national conferences on alternative education models, behavior management, and restorative practices.
Dr. Brown
Dr. Brown brings more than 25 years of experience in education, including over two decades in administrative leadership across Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Pennsylvania. He holds a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Urban Leadership and is currently All But Dissertation (ABD) toward a second Ed.D. in Special Education with a focus on emotional and behavioral support. His academic background also includes master’s degrees in Criminology and Criminal Justice, Adult Education (Administration), and Special Education, as well as a bachelor’s degree in Psychology.
He currently serves as President-Elect of the National Alternative Education Association (NAEA), where he is a member of the Executive Board and the Exemplary Practices Committee, providing professional development to schools nationwide. He previously served as Region 2 Director, representing Virginia, Washington, D.C., Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.
Dr. Brown believes that non-traditional education thrives when it is deeply student-centered — honoring the individual strengths of both educators and students to promote meaningful growth, effective teaching, and long-term success.
Beth Blatt
Beth Blatt has dedicated 30 years to education at the elementary and middle school levels. For the past eight years, she has served as Principal of Heart Mountain Academy and Assistant Principal at Cody High School in Cody, Wyoming.
Heart Mountain Academy is an NAEA Exemplary Practices Cohort School, a distinction that has helped strengthen the school’s commitment to student-centered, innovative practices. Beth is a strong advocate for alternative education and believes these schools create powerful opportunities for students to thrive in personalized and supportive environments.
Through her involvement with NAEA over the past six years, she has embraced collaboration and professional growth as key drivers of school improvement. She is passionate about servant leadership, fostering meaningful student connections, and creating those “lightbulb moments” that make education transformative.
Outside of school, Beth enjoys adventure, the outdoors, music, and time with her husband Tim and their sons.
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.