Aquarius
Over the past couple of years, “belonging” has become an international trend in education, and equity-minded leaders have made it an explicit focus. At the same time, experts have argued that our schools and society are experiencing a crisis of belonging that is at the root of so many problems we have been experiencing in schools and beyond. Like any concept that becomes popular during a specific time, belonging runs the risk of becoming a word that people use to say the right thing without digging deeper into the problems that exist within their communities. Yet, as a primary driver of engagement and a key condition for success, there is no doubt that we must prioritize belonging for students, teachers, and anyone within the school community. This session offers a proven, comprehensive framework for nurturing belonging by developing the capacity to honor dignity in behaviors, practices, and policies.