Building RELATIONships in the Digital Age: 8 Strategies to Strengthen Connections and Support Student Success

Format

Individual Presentation

Presenters

• Anthony M. Chiles, Burke County School DistrictFollow

First Presenter's Institution

Waynesboro Primary

First Presenter’s Email Address

achiles@burke.k12.ga.us

First Presenter's Brief Biography

Anthony M. Chiles is a principal, former teacher, and author of The REAL Educator’s Blueprint. With over 20 years’ experience at all K-12 levels in Georgia, he helps schools create positive learning environments. A passionate servant leader, Anthony inspires connection through his REAL framework—Relevance, Empathy, Action, Lifelong Learning—transforming classrooms and communities where people thrive.

Submitter

I am submitting this proposal as one of the presenter(s)

Location

Vernon

Strand #1

Heart: Social & Emotional Skills

Strand #2

Head: Academic Achievement & Leadership

Relevance

As a principal and former teacher, I’ve witnessed how a lack of authentic connection can lead students—especially those most at risk—to emotionally check out before they ever academically fall behind. This proposal directly supports the Heart strand by providing educators with practical, person-centered strategies to build emotionally safe, trusting relationships in both physical and digital learning spaces. These relational practices help students feel seen, heard, and valued—foundations for emotional resilience and well-being. The session also aligns with the Head strand, as strong relationships are a critical driver of academic success. When students feel genuinely connected to the adults in their learning environments, they’re more engaged, more motivated, and more likely to reach their full potential.

Brief Program Description

In this session, I share eight practical strategies from my RELATION framework to help educators build authentic relationships with students—especially in today’s digital age. You’ll learn how strong connections improve emotional well-being and academic success, and walk away with actionable tools to re-engage learners who may be struggling to connect.

Summary

In a world where digital connection is constant but emotional disconnection is growing, the need for authentic relationships in schools, organizations, and communities has never been more critical. Building Relationships in the Digital Age introduces a research-informed, experience-driven framework using eight timeless communication strategies to help participants strengthen human connection—while intentionally incorporating technology as a support tool, not a replacement.

This session explores how our increasing dependence on digital tools has eroded our use of essential relational skills—eye contact, physical presence, and verbal communication. It challenges participants to reflect on daily interactions: How often do we text someone just feet away? How often do digital notifications steal attention from those physically present?

Grounded in the R.E.L.A.T.I.O.N.ships acronym—Reality, Empathy, Lifelong Learning, Action, Timing, Influence, Organization, and Networking—this session offers a systematic approach for building and sustaining meaningful relationships across any setting. Attendees will learn how to gather diverse perspectives to clarify the present reality, foster empathy by understanding others’ experiences, and embrace lifelong learning as a continuous improvement mindset. They will explore how intentional actions, timing, and awareness of personal and professional influence contribute to relational success. Additionally, participants will reflect on how collaboration and networking can support a shared purpose and create interdependence among individuals and teams.

This experience is interactive by design, including movement, group discussion, and Q&A. The session equips participants with practical tools to overcome common relationship barriers in the digital age and teaches how to enhance relationships using—not avoiding—technology. Participants will learn eight practical strategies using (Reality | Empathy | Lifelong-Learning | Action | Timing | Influence | Organization | Networking) to create, use, and sustain positive relationships. Outcomes for participants include Understanding and being aware of the essential connection between physical, verbal, and eye contact and relationship building, learn common barriers that hinder relationship building in the digital age, and learn how to utilize digital tools to enhance, relationship building.

Evidence

1. CASEL. (2020). What is SEL? Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning. https://casel.org/what-is-sel/
2. Covey, S. R., Merrill, A. R., & Merrill, R. R. (1994). First Things First: To Live, to Love, to Learn, to Leave a Legacy. New York: Simon & Schuster.
3. Covey, S. M. R. (2006). The speed of trust: The one thing that changes everything. Free Press.
4. Cutting, J. E., Brunick, K. L., DeLong, J. E., Iricinschi, C., & Candan, A. (2011). Quicker, faster, darker: Changes in Hollywood film over 75 years. Psychological Science, 22(4), 407–414. https://doi.org/ 10.1177/0956797610396226
5. DuFour, R., DuFour, R., Eaker, R., & Many, T. (2010). Learning by doing: A handbook for professional learning communities at work (2nd ed.). Solution Tree Press.
6. Dweck, C. S. (2006). Mindset: The new psychology of success. Random House.
7. Greenleaf, R. K. (2002). Servant leadership: A journey into the nature of legitimate power and greatness (25th anniversary ed.). Paulist Press.
8. Immordino-Yang, M. H., & Damasio, A. (2007). We feel, therefore we learn: The relevance of affective and social neuroscience to education. Mind, Brain, and Education, 1(1), 3–10. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-228X.2007.00004.x
9. LifeSpan Fitness. (n.d.). Sitting Disease infographic. LifeSpanFitness.com. Retrieved from https://www.lifespanfitness.com
10. MacKenzie, A. (1990). The Time Trap (3rd ed.). New York: American Management Association
11. Mehrabian, A. (1971). Silent messages: Implicit communication of emotions and attitudes. Wadsworth.
12. Pianta, R. C., Hamre, B. K., & Allen, J. P. (2012). Teacher–student relationships and engagement: Conceptualizing, measuring, and improving the capacity of classroom interactions. In S. L. Christenson, A. L. Reschly, & C. Wylie (Eds.), Handbook of research on student engagement (pp. 365–386). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-2018-7_17S1
13. Ratey, J. J., & Hagerman, E. (2008). Spark: The revolutionary new science of exercise and the brain. Little, Brown.
14. Rubinsteim, J., Meyer, D. & Evans, J. (2001). Executive control of cognitive processes in task switching. Journal of Experimental Psychology – Human Perception and Performance, 27(4), 763-797

Learning Objective 1

Participants will be able to apply the 8 R.E.L.A.T.I.O.N. strategies to foster stronger, more authentic relationships with students in both physical and digital spaces.

Learning Objective 2

Participants will be able to identify early signs of disconnection in students and use relational tools to intervene effectively.

Learning Objective 3

Participants will be able to leverage both traditional and digital communication methods to build trust, promote emotional well-being, and support academic success.

Keyword Descriptors

relationships, student engagement, emotional well-being, digital communication, at-risk youth, empathy, trust-building, connection, academic success, social-emotional learning

Presentation Year

2026

Start Date

3-3-2026 8:30 AM

End Date

3-3-2026 9:45 AM

Recommended Citation

Chiles, Anthony M., "Building RELATIONships in the Digital Age: 8 Strategies to Strengthen Connections and Support Student Success" (2026). National Youth Advocacy & Resilience Conference. 30.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/nyar_savannah/2026/2026/30