From “Gotcha” to “I’ve Got You” — Reflections from the CA MTSS Conference on the Importance of Connection and Belonging

Last week, I had the privilege of attending the CA MTSS Conference in Anaheim. Walking into the conference, I felt that familiar excitement I used to experience as an educator attending professional learning. The conference theme, From Innovation to Transformation: Empowering Every Learner, proved to be much more than a slogan. Throughout the week, I was reminded that transformation doesn't happen because of a single program or initiative. It happens through intentional relationships, thoughtful systems, and a shared commitment to ensuring every student feels seen, heard, and valued.

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Tuesday's keynote by Dr. Nadine Burke-Harris was especially inspiring. She spoke about the lasting effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and challenged us to recognize that healing and resilience are possible when students experience safe, supportive relationships. She challenged us to recognize that we have the opportunity to transform outcomes for the next generation. 

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A session from the Placer County Office of Education on Building Sustainable MTSS Systems reinforced the importance of relationships. Healthy kids feel connected to their teachers and school staff. When students know trusted adults genuinely care about them, they're more likely to attend school, engage in learning, ask for help, and build resilience.

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Attendance emerged as a recurring theme throughout the conference. Rather than focusing solely on getting students through the school doors, presenters emphasized understanding why students may be disengaged or absent in the first place. Building trusting relationships, creating a sense of belonging, and identifying barriers early are all essential strategies for improving attendance. Redesigning Attendance through MTSS, reminded us that Attendance is not simply a student issue.  It is a systems issue requiring coordinated leadership, inclusive practices, family partnerships, and integrated supports.  

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Sown To Grow’s session (Seen, Known, Present: New Research on Belonging as an MTSS Attendance Strategy) with Oakland Unified and Los Angeles Unified shared new research on how connecting students consistently to a caring adult both preventatively supports motivation to come to school and proactively identifies the barriers to coming to school through trusting relationships. Schools that foster belonging through Sown To Grow’s weekly emotional check-in routine reduce chronic absenteeism at 2-3 times the rate of schools using traditional attendance strategies alone.

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Just as belonging is essential to strong student engagement, so is bringing students into the learning design process through Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Senior UX/UI Designer, Katie Yarnold highlighted the powerful results from co-design in Leading with Voice:  How Student Co-Design Strengthens Secondary MTSS alongside Los Angeles Unified and Grossmont Union High School District. When learners have opportunities to share their perspectives, exercise choice, and help shape their educational experiences, engagement and belonging naturally grow.

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These ideas align closely with the conference's focus on empowering every learner and reinforce the importance of elevating student voice in meaningful ways, as seen in sessions like Designing for Real Learners in Real Moments and Elevating Student Voice to Strengthen Inclusive Practices & MTSS.

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Something I heard repeatedly throughout the conference was the importance of moving away from working in silos and toward true integration. Meaningful change happens when educators, administrators, counselors, and support staff work together around a shared vision. When we break down barriers and align our efforts, we create a more connected system of support to help every student succeed. As Nicole Tucker Smith reminded us, teaching is a team sport.  Just as students thrive when they feel connected and supported, educators do too. One of the greatest gifts of this conference was the reminder that none of us are doing this work alone.

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Jimmy Casas reminded us that school culture isn't something that simply exists, it's something we create every day through our actions. His challenge to replace a "gotcha" culture with an "I've got you" culture resonated deeply. When we consistently communicate support through our words, actions, and systems, we create schools where students and adults know they belong and can thrive. Looking around the room, it was clear I wasn't the only one who found this message powerful.

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I kept thinking about how these conversations align with the work we're doing at Sown To Grow. We help schools intentionally build those connections by giving students a consistent opportunity to reflect on how they're feeling, celebrate successes, and share when they need additional support. These regular check-ins create meaningful conversations between students and educators while providing actionable insights that strengthen MTSS implementation.

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After three decades in education, this conference reminded me why I entered the profession in the first place. Every student deserves to feel seen, heard, and valued. Every educator has the opportunity to help create that sense of belonging. I'm grateful that, through Sown To Grow, I get to continue partnering with schools to make that vision a reality.

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There is hope. Every conversation, every relationship, and every opportunity to listen has the power to change a student's story, and to help every student know they belong.