Belonging

Often when I read articles about education and the latest epiphanies about it, I think, “Well, THAT’S obvious.” But even the obvious deserves a megaphone! So here are two articles I recently came across that state the obvious (to me) but are also

SPOT ON.

And related.

The first article states the undeniable, research-based, GPA-proven fact that a feeling of belonging makes a huge difference for students, including students of color, in school and beyond.

This is obviously important.

The second article suggests that, in addition to addressing students’ mental health in schools, personnel should be hired by schools to attend to teachers’ mental health.

If you know anything at all about Teaching through Emotions, you know how I feel about this proposition.

The two articles are related in that promoting a sense of belonging in students who are mentally unstable, are suffering from adverse conditions at home, or are just plain convinced they’re stupid due to repeated experiences in school (and out)

takes effort.

It takes presence, curiosity, compassion, and patience. It requires understanding of the emotional and relational forces that roil inside people and manifest outside of them in onerous behaviors. This includes the emotional and relational forces roiling inside each and every teacher.

No human being is immune from these psychological forces.

Because bringing these traits and gaining this understanding and developing self-awareness and engaging in self-healing and offering corrective experience take effort, teachers need emotional and relational support. These articles echo this obvious fact.

May all teachers receive it.