The Attendance USA Connection
Welcome to The Attendance Connection, powered by Attendance USA — the podcast where every conversation links research, practice, and tools to help students across the United States show up and succeed.Each month, co-hosts Sharon Bradley and Shelneka Marsalone sit down with education leaders, researchers, and practitioners who are transforming attendance obstacles into opportunities. From chronic absenteeism to family engagement to systems that strengthen student connectedness, this podcast explores what really works in schools today.Join us as we uncover real partners, real strategies, and real systems that make every day — and every connection — count.
The Power of Relationships with Salvatore Birardi
In this episode, we explore the critical importance of attendance in schools, strategies for increasing student engagement, and the impactful role of community and family support. Our guest, Sal Birardi, shares his experiences from his 22 years in education and his work supporting over 25,000 students in New York City, emphasizing that attendance is a collective responsibility.
Resources
Attendance USA - https://attendanceusa.org
New York City Public Schools - https://www.schools.nyc.gov
Success Mentors Program - https://attendanceusa.org/success-mentors
Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA...
School Avoidance with Jayne Demsky
In this episode, we explore the complex issue of school avoidance, its psychosocial roots, and effective strategies for families, educators, and communities to work together to support students. We dive into research findings, real-life success stories, and resources that can help turn things around for children struggling with attendance.
About Our Guest: Jayne Demsky
Jayne Demsky is a passionate advocate for students facing school avoidance challenges. As the founder of the School Avoidance Alliance, she has dedicated her career to supporting families and educators in understanding and addressing the complexities of school avoidance. With a...
Stronger Together: Community and School Partnerships that Work with Jansen Azarias-Suzumoto
In this episode, we dive deep into innovative strategies for increasing student attendance, addressing systemic barriers, and building strong community partnerships. Jansen Azarias-Suzumoto shares his inspiring journey from childhood challenges to leading impactful community work in Arizona, emphasizing empathetic accountability and collaborative solutions.
Family Engagement and Stability with Dr. Carolyn Gentle-Genitty
In this episode of the Attendance USA Connection podcast, hosts Shelneka Marsalone and Sharon Bradley welcome Dr. Carolyn Gentle-Genitty, a leading researcher in school attendance and family stability. The conversation explores the importance of parent engagement in increasing school attendance, the impact of family stability on student success, and practical strategies for schools to better engage parents. Dr. Gentle-Genitty shares her origin story and research focus, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach to addressing absenteeism. The episode concludes with actionable insights for educators and parents to work together in supporting students' attendance and overall well-being.
<...Introducing: Attendance USA Connection
The AttendanceUSA Connection podcast aims to address the critical issue of chronic absenteeism in schools by connecting research, practice, and resources. Hosts Shelneka Marsalone and Sharon Bradley discuss the importance of building partnerships, understanding psychosocial needs, and creating supportive systems to engage students and families effectively. They share their professional journeys, the inception of Attendance USA, and their vision for future conversations that will empower educators and communities to tackle absenteeism collaboratively.
Attendance USA Resource Guides
Attendance USA website
Attendance USA video
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ui=2&ik=892a6834...
Attendance USA Connection Podcast Introduction
The introduction episode of AttendanceUSA Connection sets the stage for a series of insightful conversations aimed at linking research, practice, and resources to help students across the country succeed. Hosts Shelneka Marsalone and Sharon Bradley introduce the podcast's mission to engage with educational leaders, practitioners, researchers, and community organizations who are transforming challenges into opportunities for student and family reengagement.
