31 Day - "Seeing the One" (Journal Guide to Increase School Attendance)

Seeing the One: A 31-Day Journal Guide of Best Practices to Increasing School Attendance

By Tyree Sterling

Chronic absenteeism is rarely just about attendance.

It is about trust, barriers, systems, and students who feel unseen.

Seeing the One is a practical, trauma-informed 31-day journal guide created specifically for educators who are concerned about school absences and want proven, realistic strategies to improve attendance without relying solely on punitive measures.

This guide helps educators move beyond surface-level truancy responses and develop a clear, student-centered game plan that addresses what is happening behind the scenes of absences.

What This Journal Guide Does

Over 31 focused days, you will:

• Learn how to identify early warning signs before truancy escalates
• Understand the root causes of absences, including mental health, family responsibilities, transportation, academic avoidance, and school climate
• Apply Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 attendance strategies aligned with MTSS frameworks
• Strengthen family partnerships without fear-based or compliance-only language
• Build sustainable systems that reduce chronic absenteeism over time
• Walk away with clear next-step actions you can implement immediately

This is not a workbook full of generic advice.

It is designed for educators who are actively doing the work and need tools that function in real schools across Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, and Virginia.

What’s Inside

• A structured 31-day progression that builds understanding and action
• Daily focus areas grounded in school-based best practices
• Trauma-informed reflection prompts that support professional growth
• Practical strategies educators can use immediately
• Printable journal pages for ongoing use beyond the 31 days

Who This Is For

• Educators concerned about chronic absenteeism
• Attendance teams and MTSS leaders
• Counselors, behavior specialists, and administrators
• Schools seeking proactive attendance improvement strategies

Who This Is Not For

• This is not a compliance checklist
• This is not a punishment-based truancy manual
• This is not theory without application

Why This Guide Is Different

This journal is written by an educator who is currently working with students impacted by chronic absences. The strategies inside are informed by daily practice, real barriers, and what actually works when relationships and systems matter.

If you are ready to stop reacting to truancy and start addressing it with clarity, consistency, and compassion, Seeing the One will guide you step by step.