A Fundamental Need: Belonging By Nicole V. Law and Sonja Hollins-Alexander The need to belong can be traced back to prehistoric times when cooperation and collectivism was critical for safety and survival (Allen, 2019). Belonging is the core need that was and is essential for psychological functioning,
Roberto’s fifth-grade year was life-changing. Entering the year, he was a likable, bright, energetic boy with some attention issues and a history of being the class clown. However, early in the year, his father was laid off and his parents began to have conflict. As
The coronavirus has us feeling uncertain, on-edge, and experiencing unprecedented restrictions. Across the nation, as I write this piece, various states are shutting down schools, restaurants, and bars statewide. Some are initiating curfews. All are insisting on social distancing, with absolutely no handshaking. We are
This is a new and strange time for many of us (although my dad reminds me he lived through the Polio epidemic). Most of us outside of the medical profession don’t have experience with a virus like COVID-19. School closures, tele-education, panic at the grocery
One month into the new school year—a time that is typically filled with abundant hope, visionary plans, and great clarity—I find myself increasingly losing focus. And, while I take some comfort in the knowledge that that I’m not alone in feeling this way, I occasionally
Becoming a unifying leader requires a deep knowledge of your community and a willingness to be a collaborator. Your success in this endeavor lies, in part, in your ability to listen thoughtfully to your community members in order to learn about their needs and refine the lens through
Integrated Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) education has received international attention through the media, policy-makers, and professional organizations such as National Science Teachers Association and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics as a way to engage students in authentic and transdisciplinary problem-solving.
I was at a conference (surprise) this past week and I was in a moment of whiny-ness (again, not a surprise). I was frustrated at the actions (actually inactions) of a colleague. My friend said to me, “Jen, not everything is about you.” A smack
“…every trouble wants to draw the very best of you into the world.” —Mark Nepo, from Seven Thousand Ways to Listen When trouble happens sometimes we want to avoid conflict, look the other way, or pretend that there aren’t any problems until things go back to normal.
The culture of a school affects the quality of teaching, the depth of learning, and the relationships that students develop among educators, students, and parents. When students feel safe and connected to their teachers and peers, they are able to achieve extraordinary academic and social