Title: Teachers play a key role in helping students feel they 'belong' at school
Headings: Teachers play a key role in helping students feel they ‘belong’ at school
Teachers play a key role in helping students feel they ‘belong’ at school
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What is a sense of belonging and is it important?
Sense of belonging decreases in secondary school
Teachers are an important piece of the puzzle
Teachers and schools must plan for at-risk students
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Content: If a student considers their teacher to be caring and accepting, they’re more likely to adopt the academic and social values of their teacher. This can influence how students feel about school work and how much (or how little) they value it. The teaching practices the teacher adopts in the classroom are key. Approaches to teaching that foster belonging include: prioritising high-quality teacher-student relationships
creating a supportive and caring learning environment
offering emotional support to students
being sensitive to students’ needs and emotions
showing interest in students
trying to understand students’ point of view
respectful and fair treatment
fostering positive peer relationships and mutual respect among classmates to establish a sense of community
positive classroom management. Other significant approaches include giving students a voice, working with community partners to meet students’ needs, student participation in extra-curricular activities, and developing a culture of high standards and behaviours across the whole school. Teachers and schools must plan for at-risk students
Importantly, some groups of students may feel lower levels of belonging. This includes students with different cultural or language backgrounds, students with disabilities or students who identify as LGBTQIA+. For example, students from an immigrant background have more positive attitudes and greater academic motivation if their teachers care about them, give academic feedback and guidance, and help them when necessary. Read more: