Sarah McKibben (thumbnail)

Sarah McKibben

08 08 25 Editors Note Sept 25

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The Adults Who Care

School Culture & Improvement

Michelle Culver

Alison Lee

Student with glasses using a laptop in a colorful classroom setting, focused on the screen.

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Bots for Belonging?

Teaching with Technology

Sheldon L. Eakins

Lead background art for the title of September 2025 Educational Leadership article “Belonging Before Behavior” by Sheldon L. Eakins. The illustration supports the central theme of the story, which reframes classroom management through a culturally responsive lens. The piece introduces the “Teacher VIBE” framework—Valuing Inclusion and Belonging for Everyone—and advocates for connection over control, especially for students from collectivist cultural backgrounds.

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Belonging Before Behavior

Classroom Management & Behavior

Andrew Housiaux

A high school teacher talking with a student in a supportive, encouraging manner inside a bright classroom. The interaction shows positive connection and engagement.

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Feedback That Teaches and Connects

Teaching Strategies

Abbie Misha

Close-up of a student holding a smartphone with colorful social media emojis bursting from the screen, symbolizing online engagement, digital connection, and the importance of safe online spaces for students.

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Inside a New Partnership to Help Schools Keep Students Safe Online

Tom Szczesny

Photo for Educational Leadership article "Creating a Mosaic of Connection" by Tom Szczesny. Visual of a mosaic heart, illustrating student connection, belonging, and relationship mapping in schools.

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Creating a Mosaic of Connection

Instructional Leadership & Coaching

Cody Marx

Two high school students read together in a classroom, reflecting themes of respect for cultural identity and correct name pronunciation from Cody Marx’s “The Importance of Saying Students’ Names Correctly” in Educational Leadership, September 2025.

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What’s in a Name?

Opportunity Gaps

Dominique Smith

Douglas Fisher

Nancy Frey

Hero image for Educational Leadership (September 2025) feature “Five Simple Ways to Say ‘You Belong’” by Dominique Smith, Douglas Fisher, and Nancy Frey. Licensed stock photo representing student belonging and classroom connection.

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Five Simple Ways to Say “You Belong”

Social-Emotional Learning

Megan Pitrat

08 21 25 Pitrat

From Stigma to Strength in Special Education

Maria Munro-Schuster

Photo  for Educational Leadership article “Calm Under Pressure” by Maria Munro-Schuster. Visual of a calm teacher with blurred students, illustrating teacher self-regulation, co-regulation, and belonging in the classroom.

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Calm Under Pressure

Jan Hasbrouck

Sponsored article hero image for Educational Leadership (September 2025): visual supporting ‘Empowering Young Scholars with Differentiation in Study Groups’ by Jan Hasbrouck and Douglas Fisher. Depicts K–5 small-group learning and teacher support.

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Empowering Young Scholars with Differentiation in Study Groups

Teresa D. Hill

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Help Students Find Their “Third Place”

Brent Warner

08 21 25 Warner

Tech-Powered Personalization

Fisher Frey Sept 25 

Collecting Evidence of Learning

Assessment & Grading

Michael Creekmore

Nita Creekmore

Creekmore EL Sept 25 

Do Your Students Feel Wanted?

Bryan Goodwin

Incoming 9th graders who watched older students share honest stories about overcoming fears of not fitting in—and then reflected on their own experiences—showed stronger belonging, better attendance, and higher grades throughout the school year, especially among Black and Hispanic students.

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The Power of Student-to-Student Advice

Michael Hernandez

Hernandez EL Sept 25 

Five Ways to Foster a Culture of Belonging

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Educational Leadership Staff

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EL Takeaways (thumbnail)

EL Takeaways

Magazine

Teaching for Belonging

By prioritizing relationship-building and authentic connection, educators can move beyond compliance to create engaged learning communities.

The September 2025 issue of Educational Leadership explores how educators can foster belonging in learning through culturally responsive teaching, asset-based practices, and durable-skills development that deepens learning.

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Teaching for Belonging

$9.95

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