"Essential Connection Skills is a practical, specific, inspirational, and must-have resource for any teacher, coach, school leader, or parent who aims for a more empowered and successful student."

Julie O'Connell Alholm, Instructional Coach and EL Teacher, IL

"Essential Connections, K-6 is a call to action. In this crucial resource for educators, Paonessa and Zwiers identify the greatest challenge facing our schools today—the loss of connection and community—and provide an effective and intuitive framework to address it. By leveraging the power of schools to help students develop meaningful connections (to themselves, to others, to their community, to their own learning, and to other learners), students will develop the skills they need to navigate school and realize the basic promise of education: to be fully engaged as members of an interconnected society. This, very simply, is the right book at the right time."

Doug Bolton, Educator, Clinical Psychologist, Author of "Untethered: Creating Connected Families, Schools, and Communities to Raise a Resilient Generation"

"Essential Connection Skills, K-6 is a powerful and insightful guide for educators seeking to transform their classrooms. With a focus on fostering meaningful conversations, this book highlights the profound impact of teaching students how to connect with each other and themselves. By cultivating these essential relationships, teachers can unlock a deeper level of engagement and learning, making this a must-read for anyone dedicated to creating a more inclusive and interactive elementary learning environment and helping students be successful in life outside of the classroom."

Gina Greenwald, Principal, Hoover-Wood Elementary School, Batavia, IL

"Anne Paonessa and Jeffrey Alan Zwiers make a compelling case for academic and social-emotional learning to be integrated every day, in every content area, and in every possible way. This must-read book creates a roadmap for building much-needed connections to ensure that SEL is not merely a designated period but an integral daily practice. I urge all K-6 educators to explore this volume, which is rich in practical references and jampacked with lots of carefully crafted, ready-to-implement lesson ideas."

Andrea Honigsfeld, Professor, Molloy University, NY

"The goal of Essential Connection Skills, K-6 is to foster student success. It is a well-crafted resource for all educators and partners. It provides educators with the skills needed to empower their students and give them the tools required to be lifelong learners and critical thinkers."

Eileen Matos, K-3 Bilingual and K-12 EL Educator, IL

"Essential Connection Skills, K-6 is an invaluable resource for educators navigating the challenges of reintegrating social connections into the learning environment after the pandemic. With practical strategies and real-world examples, this book provides effective ways to foster collaboration, empathy, and community, making instruction more engaging and responsive for students in today’s world."

Melissa Payne, Former Elementary School Principal, IL

"Essential Connection Skills, K-6 is a must-read for any teacher—whether you're already focused on social skills or looking to include them more in your teaching. The suggestions in each chapter are practical for novice to veteran teachers."

Amber Quirk, Regional Superintendent, DuPage County Regional Office of Education, IL

“This is an inspiring and timely book that reminds us of the power of human connection. It offers practical tools and illustrates how teaching SEL competencies in schools transforms students' lives, fostering social emotional intelligence, resilience, and empathy.”

Ellen Swanson, PhD, Associate Director of Strategic Initiatives, CAREI (Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement), University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

"Essential Connection Skills, K-6 is a game-changer for new or veteran educators. As technology becomes more present in our classrooms, we are forgetting that early learning is a social endeavor. When students have the confidence and skills necessary to interact with one another in a supportive learning community, academic gains will follow. This book clearly presents the research explaining why connection skills are so important and provides ready-to-use activities, tips, and tricks to build those skills in students."

Kevin Skomer, EdD, Retired Elementary Principal, IL

"This book reminds us of an important truth—when we intentionally teach connection skills, we don’t just improve classroom culture; we prepare students for life. Paonessa and Zwiers offer a roadmap for educators to help students develop social and emotional competencies while excelling academically. Essential Connection Skills (K-6) equips educators with practical strategies that can be applied across all content areas."

Todd Whitaker, Professor/Educational Consultant, University of Missouri