Schools are places where children and teenagers go to learn. This can be from kindergarten or preschool to primary and secondary school, then university or a vocational school.
Many parents are interested in the education debate and attend public school board meetings. But these don’t provide a full picture of the district or school.
They teach you
Teachers must teach students the value of learning in a variety of ways. They must teach them how to think creatively, how to apply critical thinking to new concepts and how to use different learning tools. These skills will be important throughout their lives. They will help them to adapt to new environments and work with people who have very different ideas.
Schools are also a place where kids learn to be empathetic. They are around hundreds of other people their age all day and have the opportunity to see how others think. This gives them an opportunity to learn a new way of looking at things that will benefit them in their life. Whether they become teachers or not, this will be beneficial to them in their future careers.
In addition to learning how to be empathetic, schools can also teach children to believe in themselves. They can be taught that they can achieve anything they want in life if they are determined enough. They can learn to trust their instincts and make decisions for themselves instead of relying on what their parents want them to do.
This can be especially helpful for students who struggle in school because of adversity like poverty, housing and food insecurity, abuse or neglect. They can be taught that they are not alone and that teachers care about them. A positive and stable relationship with a teacher can significantly reduce suspension rates. It can also improve learning and prevent depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts or substance abuse.
They give you a sense of belonging
The sense of belonging students have at school is a critical factor in their emotional and academic well-being. This sense of belonging can also have lasting effects on young people, including their relationships and future successes and failures. It is particularly important for students from marginalized groups such as those with a history of discrimination, poverty, or racism. These students often have a harder time feeling like they belong at school, but they can be more resilient and successful if their teachers and peers care about them and help them feel supported and connected.
Schools can take several steps to foster student belonging, from small-scale interventions in classrooms to whole-school approaches that prioritize belonging. For example, schools can encourage student-centered learning by providing more opportunities for students to engage in self-directed projects, as well as create spaces where students can come together around shared interests or values. In addition, they can get to know their students by greeting them warmly when they enter the school and creating a welcoming environment for all.
In addition, schools can implement inclusive practices that ensure all students feel understood and valued, including fostering positive teacher-student relationships, promoting diversity and equity, and ensuring all students have a voice in the classroom. They can also provide support and connect students to resources that can help them thrive, such as a school nurse or counseling services.
Finally, students’ parents are a powerful influence on their sense of belonging at school. Parents who value education, support their child’s involvement in school, and respect school culture and rules are more likely to have a student who feels positively about school.
Lastly, schools can measure the impact of their belonging-building activities and initiatives by evaluating the climate they create in the classroom, in the school community, or even at the district level with the Panorama Social-Emotional Learning Survey’s new Student Sense of Belonging question.