Take the planning for Classroom Connections off of your plate!

To understand the journey of the First Five, we have to go back to March 2020. Like so many others, my world shifted dramatically when COVID-19 hit. As an educational consultant, my days were spent visiting schools, working with educators, and promoting strategies for building strong classroom relationships. But when the shutdowns came, my travel stopped, and so did many of the opportunities that came with it. In the absence of those opportunities, I returned to the classroom, taking a position at John Horn High School in Mesquite, TX.

That fall, school looked and felt different. Safety measures took priority, and the emphasis on relationships—something I had always been passionate about—seemed to fade into the background. I couldn’t get into classrooms to model the strategies I believed in so deeply. But I knew I had to find another way. If I couldn’t be physically present in classrooms, I could still reach teachers. That’s when the idea for the First Five was born.

Each morning, I began sending out an email with simple connection strategies for teachers to use with their students in the first five minutes of class. It was a small gesture, but it grew into something much bigger. The feedback was overwhelming, and the First Five became a daily ritual—not just for me but for the educators who came to rely on it.

As time passed, life brought changes, and I found myself working in a school district in Upstate New York. That move opened the door to collaborate with my close friend and colleague, John Whalen. Together, we had always dreamed of starting our own educational consulting company. That dream became reality, and Edtomorrow was born. From the very beginning, the First Five was at the heart of what we wanted to offer educators—a resource they could depend on to build community and connection in their classrooms, day after day.

What started as a small idea quickly gained momentum, thanks to the support of educators who believed in the power of relationships. Schools like Harpursville Central School District, who were the first to adopt the First Five, and Waverly Central School District, our first contract, were instrumental in helping us get where we are today.

Along the way, more people joined our journey. Sarah Nunn, who came on board when we were just starting to grow, helped shape the direction of Edtomorrow. Our content creation team brought our ideas to life with creativity and professionalism. And my wife, Kacie, who has stood by my side, has been a constant source of support, allowing this dream to flourish.

The First Five has become more than just a set of strategies—it’s a community of educators dedicated to making those first five minutes of class count. It’s a story of collaboration, growth, and a shared belief in the importance of connection. And while the journey is far from over, looking back reminds me of how it all began—with a simple idea and a determination to keep relationships at the core of every classroom.

Sincerely,

Doug Overton

Creator of the First Five