edWebinars
«Back to all edWebinarsRethinking Attendance to Keep Every Student Connected to Learning and Belonging
Wednesday, June 25, 2025 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm EDT
Presented by Kate Pechacek, Former Teacher, Current K12 Strategic Consultant, No Isolation
Sponsored by No Isolation
Learn more about viewing the live presentation and the recording, earning your CE certificate, and using our new accessibility features.
School absence has proven to be an incredible challenge—and so is the cost of disconnection. Students facing anxiety, illness, neurodivergent overstimulation, or other challenges or circumstances that prevent in-person attendance often fall behind academically and socially, making reintegration harder and increasing long-term disengagement. How can school systems respond with more human-centered approaches that keep students connected—not just to academics, but to a sense of belonging?
This edWebinar will explore how absence isolation affects student outcomes and school systems, and why a return-to-school plan alone isn’t enough. We’ll discuss how to design supports that are inclusive, flexible, and grounded in student voice—especially for those experiencing chronic or emotionally based school avoidance.
We’ll look at promising district strategies and explore how technology can extend connection, even when physical presence isn’t possible. You’ll leave with frameworks and ideas to strengthen your district’s attendance-support efforts through a belonging-first lens.
Finally, you’ll hear about how some school districts are taking an innovative approach to reducing absence isolation and bridging students back to the classroom to ensure every student is seen, heard, and included. This edWebinar will be of interest to teachers, school leaders, and district leaders of all grade levels.
About the Presenter
Kate Pechacek currently serves as K12 Strategic Advisor to systems-improving edtech organizations and school districts, including No Isolation, and is the founder and CEO of OpendoorsEd. Prior to founding OpendoorsEd, Kate served in several leadership roles in education technology over the last nine years. She began her nearly 30-year career in education as a secondary math teacher. In addition to 15 years as a teacher, Kate has served in districts nationwide, holding multiple site- and district-leadership roles in curriculum, instruction, assessment, and MTSS. She is passionate about ensuring equity, disrupting predictability, and narrowing opportunity gaps.
Learn more about viewing the live presentation and the recording, earning your CE certificate, and using our new accessibility features.
Join the Creating a Positive School Climate community to network with educators, participate in online discussions, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates.
No Isolation is a mission-driven technology company dedicated to combating loneliness and social exclusion through human-centered innovation. Founded in Norway, the company designs communication tools that bridge gaps for individuals facing barriers to connection—especially young people unable to attend school due to illness, mental health challenges, or other circumstances.
Their flagship product, the AV1 telepresence robot, serves as a student’s eyes, ears, and voice in the classroom. Controlled remotely via a secure app, AV1 enables students to participate in lessons and maintain vital social ties with classmates, even from a hospital bed or home. Used in over 2,500 schools across 18 countries, AV1 has supported more than 10,000 students, helping districts promote equity, belonging, and academic continuity. No Isolation also meets the highest standards of data security and privacy for students, staff, and families—making AV1 a trusted solution for inclusive education. Learn more at www.noisolation.com.
