An essential guide for educators on creating a supportive, engaging, and inclusive virtual classroom. As educators reimagine education in a virtual world, they may struggle to connect with their students and effectively support them. In Connecting Emotional Intelligence to the Online Classroom, Monita Leavitt and Kirsten Stein explain how fostering teacher and student relationships can create a supportive virtual classroom that engages students as active learners online. The authors show how emotional intelligence can be the key to creating an engaging and welcoming online classroom. They offer a wealth of strategies designed to help K–12 teachers foster relationships that promote both academic success and social-emotional development. By integrating the five core competencies of emotional intelligence—self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social awareness—educators can empower students to thrive as active learners in an online environment. This book addresses challenges, such as isolation, and shows teachers how to help their students manage their emotions, build confidence, and develop critical skills. In addition to providing practical strategies for teachers, Leavitt and Stein advocate for policy changes that will assist new teachers in developing the resources they need to fully engage with their students online. This book equips educators not only to meet today's challenges but also to build sustainable, meaningful learning experiences for the future.