The seminar leader aims to share knowledge acquired through research and facilitate knowledge acquisition and related discussions (i.e., co-generate knowledge) that could empower elementary and middle school teachers to improve their school environments. This seminar will focus on learning conditions and practices within the school environment domains of academics, safety, and shared vision. Dimensions of potential interest include (but are not limited to) communication with parents/guardians, high expectations for students, social-emotional safety, restorative justice, behavior management, partnerships with parents/guardians and community members, school pride, stories that celebrate success, and connectedness. For example, one item that captured the dimension of social-emotional safety is, “Students’ social and emotional learning is as important as their academic learning”. While it is meaningful that teachers’ attitudes towards students’ social and emotional learning predict academic outcomes, additional survey items offer strategies that could be incorporated into curriculum to apply what was learned during this seminar, such as, “Students are encouraged to be themselves (e.g., authentic)” and “Students are given opportunities to share their thoughts and feelings about the school”.
Note: While open to all grade levels, a particular focus of this seminar will be on elementary and middle school environments.
