Belonging Checklist

Introduction to the Building Belonging Checklist

Creating a sense of belonging in the classroom is essential for fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment. The Building Belonging Checklist is designed to help educators reflect on and enhance their practices to ensure all students, especially those of immigrant origin, feel valued and understood.

This checklist draws on the experiences and strategies of educators like Katherine Tepedino, Sarah Said, Sandy Mendoza, Joel Troge, Emily Francis, and Jessica Lander, who have successfully integrated culturally responsive teaching and asset-based pedagogy into their classrooms. By following these guidelines, you can create a more welcoming and inclusive environment where every student has the opportunity to thrive.

Explore each section to see how you can implement these practices in your classroom. Remember, fostering a sense of belonging is an ongoing journey that requires continuous reflection and adaptation. To help prioritize follow-up, we have developed a scoring rubric with suggestions for next steps.

Scoring Scale and Follow Up