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Beyond “Nice to Have”: The Science of Belonging as a Fundamental Need for Success
by Terrell Lamont Strayhorn, Ph.D., and Sarah Caverly, Ph.D. In the ever-evolving contexts of education and today’s workplace, we often obsess over metrics. We track grades, graduation rates, quarterly earnings, and productivity hours with a fervor that suggests these numbers tell the whole story of human success. Success, however, is rarely the result of aptitude […]
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Protected: Integrate Belonging Into Summer Learning With Harmony!
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
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Students Share the Small Ways Teachers Build Belonging
In Honor of Teacher Appreciation Month, we want to recognize the amazing educators who build belonging in classrooms every day. Teachers have a remarkable superpower: helping every student feel seen, valued, and like they belong in their learning communities. How do we know that? Because their students told us! We reached out to teachers across […]
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Belonging as a Core Condition for Learning
Belonging as a Core Condition for Learning Schools today are grappling with rising chronic absenteeism, widening learning gaps, and increasing teacher dissatisfaction. Belonging — the feeling of being accepted, valued, connected, and a contributor within a community — is a fundamental human need. Research consistently shows that fostering belonging strengthens both student outcomes and educator […]
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Can Reading Books Make Kids Smarter and More Connected?
By: Carol Jago & Sarah Caverly, Ph.D. Can reading books make kids smarter and more connected? In her article for Time magazine, Annie Murphy Paul argues that it can. She discovered evidence that “individuals who often read fiction appear to be better able to understand other people, empathize with them and view the world from their […]
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It’s Time to Shine: 6 Trauma-Informed Theatre Practices to Ease Stress
By Jennifer Wienke, Trauma-Informed Educator Fairbanks, Alaska It’s National Stress Awareness Month, and as a trauma-informed theater educator at the Fairbanks Academy of Community Theatre (FACT) in Fairbanks, Alaska, it’s the perfect time to share strategies to help mitigate youth and family stress. “Life-changing” is a word communicated to the FACT team often in emails, […]
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The Air We Breathe: Why Psychological Safety Is the Foundation for Success in Schools
By: Dr. Ruby Ababio-Fernandez Imagine a school where teachers arrive early, work tirelessly, and care deeply about their students. The energy feels warm, even friendly. But underneath, something is missing. The culture is congenial, not collegial. People prioritize being nice over being honest. When feedback happens, it’s often softened to maintain one another’s comfort. A […]
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National Nutrition Month: How Food Can Nourish Belonging in Our Schools
By Esther Deth, Ed.D School Wellness & College Preparation Coordinator, Long Beach Unified School District When I think about some of my fondest memories with family and friends, many of them are centered around food. From joyful gatherings like a holiday potluck to quieter, meaningful moments — such as sharing a final meal with my […]
