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 the country to ask their students: What does your teacher do to make sure all students feel like they belong in your classroom?
Here are their heartfelt responses:
“She helps us when we struggle.” – Leo C., 3rd grade
“She calls on us when we raise our hand.” – Una D., 3rd grade
“She makes us feel special. It’s her superpower!” – Owen K., 3rd grade
“She lets me and my friends help out, and gives new opportunities to be helpful.” – Myra K., 3rd grade
“When we need help, she comes to help us.” – Caroline M., 3rd grade
“We talk a lot, and what she says makes my insides feel warm and toasty.” – Zara O., 1st grade
“My teacher shows interest in what we do outside of school.” – Parker S., 1st grade
“My teacher gives us opportunities to show our personality.” – Liam T., 2nd grade
“My teachers smile and greet us.” – Vanessa M., 7th grade
“She is nice, she listens to us, we trust her, and I never want to go to 2nd grade.” – Jaycee D., 1st grade
“My teacher helps us with our work. She is nice, and everybody loves her, especially me.” – A’amoni H., 1st grade
“My teacher makes everyone in my classroom feel like they belong because she always asks if you feel down when you cry and she checks up on you.” – Gunner A., 4th Grade
“Every day Ms. Ahn helps the classroom and she is very funny. She picks the people with low points! She always treats us the same and always talks about what we should do. This tells me she is a good teacher and makes me feel like I belong.” – Anna G., 4th Grade
“My teacher has a special way of making everyone feel like they truly belong. When someone gets a problem wrong, he never makes them feel bad. He helps them understand where they went wrong, helps them fix it, and gives them the chance to share their new thinking.” – Elijah, 4th grade
“My teacher makes the whole class feel like we belong when we get new partners each Monday, and we spend time getting to know each other through different questions he asks. It helps me feel comfortable. “ – Berkley, 5th grade
We also received this video message from a second grader in Memphis, Tennessee:
What else can we say? Thank you teachers for making your students feel like they matter. You’re our belonging champions!