--- title: Starting the School Year Strong | Leading Minds description: Join us for a timely conversation about how schools can foster meaningful family engagement, support well-being, and build a positive culture. --- [![7 Mindsets](https://info.7mindsets.com/hs-fs/hubfs/7M-Logo-300.png?width=300&height=148&name=7M-Logo-300.png "7 Mindsets")](https://7mindsets.com/) ## Leading Minds Webinar Series Leading Minds Webinar Series - 2026 *Virtual conversations to help live, learn, and lead in the real world* **Starting the School Year Strong: A Whole-School Strategy for Family Engagement, Educator Well-being & a Thriving Culture**  Live Session: Thursday, October 22, 3:00 PM ET Presented by: Yessica Esmeralda O'Connor, Dr. Teresa Reigosa, and Tracey Smith ![Webinar Circle\_7M Panel\_Oct2026-1](https://info.7mindsets.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Webinar%20Circle_7M%20Panel_Oct2026-1.png?width=1080&height=1080&name=Webinar%20Circle_7M%20Panel_Oct2026-1.png "Webinar Circle_7M Panel_Oct2026-1") The earliest months of a new year offer educators the opportunity to strengthen the relationships, routines, and shared commitments that shape the entire school year. In this engaging and insightful webinar, our panel of education experts will lead a timely conversation about how schools and districts can foster meaningful family engagement, support educator and student well-being, and build a positive culture where all members of the school community feels connected and equipped to thrive. Panelists will share practical insights for: - Creating stronger partnerships between schools and families - Establishing a common language across classrooms and communities - Supporting educators as they navigate the demands of a new year. The discussion will also explore why lasting culture change requires more than a standalone program. It takes a full-immersion approach that engages leaders, educators, students, families, and community partners. Attendees will leave with actionable ideas to align schoolwide practices around a consistent culture and create momentum that can be sustained throughout the school year.  Whether you are a district leader, principal, student support professional, or educator, this conversation will help you begin the school year with greater clarity, connection, and purpose. --- About the Presenters: Yessica Esmeralda O'Connor is a seasoned educator with two decades of dedicated experience supporting and uplifting English Language Learner (ELL) students. Throughout her career, Yessica has taught and administered in inner-city schools, low-income communities, and linguistically diverse environments, always centering her work on connection with students, families, and the broader community.  Dr. Teresa Reigosa supports schools across the country and internationally in implementing mindset-based programming for students and the adults who care for them. Throughout her career, Dr. Reigosa has been a classroom teacher, counselor, and administrator, and her experiences working with diverse student populations and collaborating with her colleagues have provided her with invaluable insights and knowledge. **Tracey Smith**, a former principal, has dedicated her career to holistic education, focusing on the full development of students. Tracey has been a pioneer in implementing social and emotional learning tools among her teachers and leadership team. This initiative has fostered a remarkable school culture and transformed educational teams, reflecting her unwavering determination to create life-changing environments for both educators and students, making every day an enriching experience. ### Register Now! Copyright © 2026 7 Mindsets. All Rights Reserved.