Dominique Smith, Ed.D. is Chief of Educational Services and Teacher Support at Health Sciences High and Middle College in San Diego, CA. He is passionate about creating school cultures that honor students and build their confidence and competence. Smith′s major area of research and instruction focuses on restorative practices, classroom management, growth mindset, and the culture of achievement. In addition to his school leadership responsibilities, Smith provides professional learning to K-12 teachers in groups large and small, on many topics that address classroom and school climate and organization. He is a regular presenter at many conferences, including Empower (ASCD′s annual conference). Smith holds his doctorate in Educational Leadership from San Diego State University with a focus on equity and a Master′s degree in social work from the University of Southern California. He also holds credentials from San Diego State University in administrative services, child welfare, PPS, and attendance. He is the winner of the National School Safety Award from the School Safety Advocacy Council. He delivered a TED Talk in 2018 about building relationships between students and teachers.

Douglas Fisher is professor and chair of educational leadership at San Diego State University and a teacher leader at Health Sciences High and Middle College. Previously, Doug was an early intervention teacher and elementary school educator. He is the recipient of an International Reading Association William S. Grey citation of merit and an Exemplary Leader award from the Conference on English Leadership of NCTE, as well as a Christa McAuliffe award for excellence in teacher education. In 2022, he was inducted into the Reading Hall of Fame by the Literacy Research Association. He has published numerous articles on reading and literacy, differentiated instruction, and curriculum design, as well as books such as The Teacher Clarity Playbook, PLC+, Visible Learning for Literacy, Comprehension: The Skill, Will, and Thrill of Reading, How Feedback Works, Teaching Reading and most recently, Teaching Students to Drive their Learning.

Nancy Frey is a Professor in Educational Leadership at San Diego State and a teacher leader at Health Sciences High and Middle College. She is a member of the International Literacy Association's Literacy Research Panel. Her published titles include Visible Learning in Literacy, This Is Balanced Literacy, Removing Labels, Rebound, The Social-Emotional Learning Playbook, and How Scaffolding Works. Nancy is a credentialed special educator, reading specialist, and administrator in California and learns from teachers and students every day.

Vincent Pompei, Ed.D., is an assistant professor in educational leadership at San Diego State University. Prior to joining the university, he spent nearly a decade as the National Director of Youth Well-Being Programming at the Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest civil rights organization dedicated to LGBTQ+ equality. His research interests include student mental wellness, identity safe schools, culturally responsive pedagogy, and LGBTQ+ inclusion. Pompei was acknowledged by the National Education Association as a Classroom Superhero and was honored by the Advocate Magazine, Equality California, and the California PTA for his dedication to creating safe and inclusive schools.

Rachael Stewart, Ed.D., holds the position of Professor and Director of Academic and Career Programs within the Division of Student Affairs and Campus Diversity at San Diego State University. Her area of expertise lies in the study of organizational leadership, change, policy, and practices in education systems. Her research is primarily focused on the creation of conducive environments for student success through engagement, retention, and post-graduate outcomes.

The authors have done an amazing job of outlining the importance of building a sense of belonging for all stakeholders in education. The focus is on building positive relationships where everyone feels welcomed, invited, present, known, accepted, involved, heard, supported, befriended, needed, and loved.This is the core of what all educators need to invest their time and energy on. Once you create this sense of belonging, you can then tap into each student and educator′s true potential. The sky′s the limit once you make this happen.--Dick Keeler

Belonging in School is a delightful primer on how schools can make students, staff, parents and guardians, and community members feel welcome. Students work for people they like in places they like. This book provides a pathway to create those conditions and ensure inclusivity, connectedness, and academic success for all.--Zachary S Robbins, Ph.D.

Yessss! (Or maybe - Finally!) A whole book devoted to building the kind of culture in schools that's worth restoring. Every kid desires and deserves to belong. Teachers, listen up! Content knowledge matters less if you don't know how to build community. The authors break down the dimensions of belonging in a way that engages educators and shows them how to create and hold space for every student. --Shawn Bush, Ed.S.

Dr. Smith′s work with our districts has been nothing short of transformative. With a deep understanding of the critical importance of creating an inclusive, supportive school environment, Dr. Smith has guided our educators and administrators to rethink traditional disciplinary approaches. Instead of punitive measures, we now focus on restorative practices, conflict resolution, and social-emotional learning. The result has been a marked decrease in disciplinary incidents and a notable increase in student engagement and satisfaction.

"Belonging in School" takes us to the next level in our journey toward creating a more inclusive, supportive, and positive educational environment. The illustrated playbook is a comprehensive guide that offers practical, actionable strategies for fostering belonging not only among students but also among teachers and staff. This holistic approach recognizes that when educators and staff feel a sense of belonging, it naturally extends to students, creating a ripple effect of positivity and engagement throughout our schools.--Summer Prather-Smith

Publisher: Corwin Publishers

Pub date: 2024-03-19

Length: 280 pages