Pathways to Belonging

Harmony Academy knows that schools thrive when belonging is built into their foundation and practiced by and with everyone who walks through the hallways.

Introducing The Pathways to Belonging Virtual Series!

Our no-cost virtual workshop series for district and school leaders connects you with educational thought leaders who will share how to build and sustain strong foundations of belonging that address challenges such as chronic absenteeism, declining academic performance, educator well-being and retention, and volatile school climates

Register for the series and you will be registered for all sessions.

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Virtual Workshop Series

Belonging: The Missing Ingredient in Improving Student Performance and Educator Well-Being

Thursday, Nov. 6th 11-11:45 a.m. PST/ 2-2:45 p.m. EST

Join author and belonging scholar, Terrell Strayhorn, Ph.D, to explore what belonging is, why it matters, and how schools can measure and leverage it to drive achievement, engagement, and well-being.

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Psychological Safety: The Hidden Key to Culture, Retention, and Belonging

Wednesday, Nov. 12th 1-1:45 p.m. PST/ 4-4:45 p.m. EST

Belonging requires safety. Dr. Ruby Ababio-Fernandez, a district-level leader and institute founder, joins Terrell Strayhorn, Ph.D. to discuss how leaders can create psychologically safe school cultures where students and staff feel valued and empowered.

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Belonging in Action: Transforming Schools and Restoring Engagement

Thursday, Nov. 13th 8-8:45 a.m. PST/ 11-11:45 a.m. EST

Belonging isn’t just theory — it’s practice. Brandon Cardet-Hernandez, a successful turnaround principal, board member, and education president, sits down with Terrell Strayhorn, Ph.D. to share practical lessons leaders can apply to positively transform struggling schools and help every student succeed.

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Belonging: From Literacy to Learning Acceleration and Improved Educator Retention

Tuesday, Dec. 2nd 1-1:45 p.m. PST/ 4-4:45 p.m. EST

Academics and belonging are closely linked, yet rarely discussed together. Join Terrell Strayhorn, Ph.D. and literacy expert Douglas Fisher, Ph.D. to unpack the link between literacy, learning, and belonging.

Stay tuned for deeper professional learning pathways with our thought leaders for school leaders in the months ahead. Attendees of the virtual series will receive a 15% off coupon to apply towards Belonging Together, our new belonging solution featuring individualized coaching and support from these leaders and others!

Meet Our Speakers in the Series

Dr. Terrell Strayhorn is an internationally recognized scholar on student success, acclaimed speaker, and award-winning author of 12 books and over 200 publications. He has delivered thousands of talks at more than 2,000 institutions worldwide, with research supported by over $10 million in funding. A professor, center director, and principal investigator, he also serves as Editor of Frontiers in Education (Higher Education Specialty) and sits on several nonprofit boards, including Minds Beyond Measure, Rainbow Labs, Psychologists of Color, MEN Inc., and MCT Educational Foundation.

With over 20 years of experience in education and public policy, Brandon is a transformative leader dedicated to closing achievement and opportunity gaps. His career has spanned roles as a teacher, school principal, policy advisor, and non-profit executive, consistently driving positive change. In his current role as President at Mrs Wordsmith, Brandon is leading a pioneering approach to literacy education by merging science-backed learning methods with innovative video game technology.

With an unyielding commitment to transforming the lives of adults, children, communities, and school systems, Dr. Ruby brings over 23 years of experience in education and leadership. She has held multiple senior roles, including Associate Vice President for Equity and Leadership Development at the New York City Leadership Academy (NYCLA), Deputy Superintendent, Senior Executive Officer, and Chief Strategy Officer for the New York City Department of Education. She currently serves as Superintendent in Residence at McGraw Hill, where she continues her mission of advancing learning outcomes, leadership, and systemic transformation.

Doug is a credentialed teacher and administrator in California. He has published over 250 books, chapters, and articles focused on school improvement and was elected into the Reading Hall of Fame in 2022. He is also a teacher leader at Health Sciences High & Middle College (HSHMC), an award-winning, open-enrollment public school in San Diego he co-founded in 2007.