Belonging isn’t a slogan—it’s a leadership strategy. Research consistently links a strong sense of belonging to higher student attendance, stronger engagement, and improved academic outcomes. In this conversation, Brandon Cardet-Hernandez, a successful turnaround principal, board member, and education CEO, and Terrell Strayhorn, Ph.D., a leading researcher on belonging, connect the data with what actually works in schools. Moderated by Nick Yoder, Ph.D. of Harmony Academy, the discussion centers on concrete, school-tested actions leaders can take to strengthen culture and performance.
For today’s school leaders, culture is no longer separate from performance—it is a core driver of attendance, retention, and learning. The conversation draws on lessons from Harmony Academy’s Belonging Together work, highlighting how administrators are applying research-backed approaches to build stronger school cultures, support staff retention, and improve student outcomes.