Six Education Experts Partner to Boost Student Belonging

When students feel disconnected from school, everything suffers: attendance drops, engagement fades, and learning stalls. Now six nationally recognized education leaders are joining forces to help schools turn that around.

Harmony Academy at National University announced a partnership that gives school districts direct access to experts who specialize in student belonging. The timing couldn't be more critical as schools nationwide struggle with record absenteeism and student isolation following years of disrupted learning.

The partnership brings together leaders with decades of combined experience. Among them: Dr. Douglas Fisher, whose research shows how belonging improves literacy and attendance, Carol Jago, former president of the National Council of Teachers of English, and Richard Carranza, former NYC Schools Chancellor who led one of the nation's largest districts.

Through a program called Harmony Belonging Together, districts can schedule one-on-one consulting sessions focused on their biggest challenges. Whether it's re-engaging absent students, strengthening classroom culture, or helping teachers build better connections, districts get customized guidance from experts who've solved these problems before.

"Our mission is simple: every child deserves a learning environment where strong, healthy relationships fuel academic growth," said Dr. Nick Yoder, associate vice president at Harmony Academy. The program translates the latest research into practical tools teachers can use immediately.

The focus on belonging isn't just feel-good philosophy. Research increasingly shows that students who feel connected to their school and peers perform better academically, attend more regularly, and stay more engaged in learning.

The Ripple Effect

What makes this partnership powerful is its reach beyond individual classrooms. When districts strengthen belonging systems, the benefits multiply: teachers report better retention, students show improved climate scores, and entire school communities become more connected.

The experts bring diverse specialties, from literacy instruction to large-scale system change. Dr. Terrell Strayhorn is one of the country's most cited scholars on sense of belonging, while Brandon Cardet-Hernandez founded a company focused on school culture transformation.

Schools already using Harmony's evidence-based routines report promising gains in classroom climate. This new partnership extends that support by connecting local educators with national expertise tailored to their specific needs.

At a time when educators face unprecedented challenges re-engaging students, the partnership offers something schools desperately need: proven solutions they can start using tomorrow.