You Belong Here

The first weeks of school always feel like standing on the edge of possibility. New faces, new routines, and new stories are waiting to unfold in our classrooms.

In these early days, it’s tempting to focus on logistics but seating charts, schedules, and procedures can wait. This the moment to build belonging.

We have all likely attended professional development sessions and workshops focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion. However, none of that work can be effective unless there is a genuine sense of belonging.

Building this sense of belonging must come first because it serves as the foundation for all DEI work throughout the rest of the year.

Getting to know our students isn’t just about discovering their favorite subject or figuring out who remembers their multiplication facts. It’s about learning who they are. What makes them laugh? What sparks their curiosity? What are they hoping for this year?

When we ask these kinds of questions, we signal to students that school is more than a place they have to be, it’s a place they get to be.

This is also the perfect time to imagine instruction differently. What routines can make students feel empowered instead of managed? What projects could connect the curriculum to the real world? What opportunities can we create to show them that their voices matter?

Because school should be a place kids love. A place where they feel seen, challenged, and joyful. When students experience that kind of learning, they don’t just grow academically—they grow in confidence, curiosity, and purpose.

So, as we step into another year, let’s hold on to this: every conversation, every routine, every opportunity in these first weeks is a seed. If we plant them with care, they can grow into a lifelong love of learning.

What’s one small routine you use to help students feel like they belong?

With purpose ❤️

Bonnie