Reflecting on the lasting power of connection

As educators decompress from the academic year and enjoy summer, it’s important to remember the profound impact genuine connections have had, and will continue to have, on their school’s success.

Throughout the past year, educators using Along witnessed firsthand how intentional connections transformed their learning environments into engaged classrooms where students felt welcomed and seen. 

In San Diego, a focus on strong relationships led to improvements in both academics and attendance. Neil Egasani, Dean of Students at Magnolia Science Academy in San Diego, understands the power of connecting with students. For the 2024-25 academic year, Egasani introduced “Mindful Mondays.” 

Teachers at Magnolia posted the same Along question to their 6th-8th grade students during homeroom each Monday, setting the tone for the week.

“You get to know where the students are on Monday, and then you have that week to see where they’re at and can do interventions,” Egasani said. “If you have a student who answered a question on Along that sticks out, we can use Thursday as a checkpoint with that student. That’s how we can continue to help the kids that need it the most.” 

There were many other examples from the past year of how these connections, often facilitated and strengthened by Along, helped students feel engaged and a part of the learning process.

‘A sense of self and a sense of belonging’

For Celeste Akiu, a school leader at Holy Family Catholic Academy (HFCA) in Honolulu, Hawaii, providing a welcoming place for all students is her top priority. 

“I have always felt in my heart that we all need a sense of self and a sense of belonging,” Akiu said. “I want every child to have a sense of belonging and a sense of who they are as an individual.”

When Akiu learned about Along, she recognized its potential to foster community and bring out the best in her students. Akiu works with her staff to create a caring community that prioritizes teaching the whole student. 

“When children feel invisible or that they are not heard, the learning doesn’t happen,” Akiu said. “You need to have connections.”

Keeping connections top of mind during summer

Summer is an important time of the year for school leaders and teachers to keep the importance of connections on their minds as they begin to prepare for the first day of school.

For the upcoming academic year, school leaders have a powerful opportunity to set a tone from Day One that students are valued and seen. By leveraging tools like Along before students step foot in the classroom, educators will be able to build rapport with new students and re-establish connections with returning ones. 

This early engagement, facilitated by Along, will help establish trust, safety, and consistency. And it would help students understand that their teachers are genuinely interested in their well-being and success as people, not just as students. 

The investment in these connections will undoubtedly pay dividends, creating a school community where every student feels seen, heard, and ready to thrive. 

“I promise you, if you have connections with these kids, your job will be a lot easier,” Egasani said. “It’s like an investment.”