“Tackling Chronic Absenteeism: How Tulare County Is Reengaging Students Through Resilience and Relationships“
Missed the Webinar? Watch it Here:
Free webinar this week, please join us!
Thursday, May 15th, at
3:00 PM – Eastern Time
2:00 PM – Central Time
1:00 PM – Mountain Time
12:00 PM – Pacific Time
How do you reignite student engagement in a time of chronic absenteeism?
In Tulare County, California, a team of educators is doing just that—by focusing on the power of presence, student resilience, and authentic relationships. Their innovative work has earned statewide recognition, and now they’re joining us to share the story behind their success.
Join this dynamic panel of practitioners and thought leaders as they explore strategies that are helping schools reconnect with students and families—starting as early as 5th grade and scaling into secondary systems. You’ll hear real stories, lessons learned, and practical insights that can inform your own approach to attendance and engagement.
In this session, you’ll gain:
- Ideas for messaging that helps build authentic relationships with families and students
- Examples of how to scale impact without overwhelming staff
- Insights on community events that boost connection and motivation
- Reflections on what’s worked—and what needed to be reimagined
- Forward-thinking strategies for reengaging students across grade levels
- Practical takeaways to help you address absenteeism in your own context
Meet our panelists:
Bob Mayo
Robert (Bob) Mayo is the Administrator for the CHOICES program at the Tulare County Office of Education. Bob has spent his professional career working with students in multiple facets of education. Bob was a high school chemistry teacher and assistant principal of activities, finance, supervision, and curriculum & instruction. Bob served as a high school principal for 9 years before moving to the County Office of Education in 2023. A graduate of Fresno State and the Kremen School of Education, Bob later earned his Master of Education and studied educational leadership at Walden University. Bob’s focus is on how we (educators) can create the best, contributing members of society possible. Bob enjoys boating and time with family, friends, and his dogs in their free time.
Rene Solis
Rene is a Program Facilitator with CHOICES Prevention Programs, for Tulare County Office of Education. He has dedicated over 20 years to education, specializing in mental health, suicide prevention, and social-emotional learning for children and adolescents. Much of his work has focused on supporting underprivileged youth, addressing the unique challenges they face, and ensuring they have access to critical resources and emotional support. Rene’s extensive experience includes collaborating with school districts and communities to promote mental wellness, provide critical interventions, and implement programs that foster emotional resilience and awareness. He is passionate about making a lasting impact on the well-being of all students, particularly those in underserved communities, by creating supportive environments that encourage open discussions around mental health and well-being.
Jeff Lynch
Jeff Lynch is a Project Coordinator with over 20 years of experience in education. Specializing in Prevention Education, Jeff previously worked at Visalia Unified, and for Kings County Office of Education and has a passion for helping young people be educated with the dangers of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. A graduate of UMASS Global, Jeff is dedicated to helping young people. In his free time, Jeff enjoys coaching, fishing, golfing, and spending time with his family and dogs.
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.
🎓 Who Should Attend?
Educators, school counselors, district leaders, attendance teams, and anyone committed to supporting student engagement and success.
✅ Can’t attend live? Register anyway and we’ll send you the full recording.