Meaningful Connections

In a recent Edutopia article, “The Power of Being Seen”, Holly Korbey shares a strategy used by staff at Cold Springs Middle School in Nevada to ensure that every student has the opportunity to connect to at least one teacher or one adult in the building every day.  Research indicates that students with meaningful connections at school are less at-risk for behavior problems, dropping out, and even suicide. The activity pushes staff to indicate the level of relationship they have with students, identifying those who seem less connected.  In the process, staff share information they have about individuals – the stories, hobbies and habits that shape their students and their learning.  Staff share ideas for building relationships based on the district’s three signature SEL classroom practices:  welcome rituals and routines, more engaging or interactive teaching methods, and end-of-class reflections.  Read more and see it in action here:  https://www.edutopia.org/article/power-being-seen