Today, we are beginning to appreciate the impact of the pandemic on academic achievement and well-being for our kids. Children need to feel safe and secure to thrive in the classroom and beyond. Students with strong connections to their teachers are more likely to develop positive social and emotional competencies, feel more engaged in school, and perform better academically.

More than three-quarters of teachers believe that building stronger teacher-student connections is a highly effective way to boost student engagement. Parents also have a role to play, and there are steps we can take to make sure our kids have access to the kind of supportive relationships that can make a big difference.