This 5-week book study invites educators to explore Laurie Barron and Patti Kinney’s We Belong: 50 Strategies to Create Community and Revolutionize Classroom Management. Participants will learn how to cultivate authentic connections, strengthen relationships, and create safe, inclusive environments where all students feel seen, valued, and supported. Each week blends reflection, discussion, and actionable strategies to help teachers transform classroom culture and elevate engagement, trust, and consistency. By the end, participants will design a personalized implementation plan to sustain belonging throughout the year.

Required Text

• We Belong: 50 Strategies to Create Community and Revolutionize Classroom Management by Laurie Barron and Patti Kinney 

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• Explain the essential components of a culture of belonging and describe how these influence classroom management, engagement, and student well-being.
• Analyze and reflect on their own beliefs, routines, and relationships to identify practices that promote or hinder belonging within their classrooms or schools.
• Apply evidence-based strategies from We Belong to strengthen trust, safety, consistency, and collaboration among students and colleagues.
• Integrate social-emotional learning (SEL) competencies into daily instruction and classroom culture to enhance connection and engagement.
• Design and implement a personalized belonging action plan that outlines concrete goals, strategies, and measures of success for fostering inclusion and connection in their learning environments.