School of Belonging - Teaching Empathy Institute

We advocate for a shift in K-12 education from standardized testing as the sole metric for measuring effective instruction to a more holistic approach that takes into account the social, emotional and leadership skills necessary for student success in the 21st Century.

Teaching Empathy Institute, SEL, David Levine, Diversity, Mindfulness, Social and emotional learning, kingston, new york, kingston city schools, School of Belonging, culture building, Hudson Valley , Tides Center, resilience, Building classroom communities, Teaching Empathy, compassion, teaching,

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School of Belonging Initiative:
The signature program of Teaching Empathy Institute

TEI’s School of Belonging training program helps create a school culture that fosters empathic relationships, emotional safety, and real-world learning. It strives to shift the conversation in K-12 education from standardized testing as the sole metric for measuring effective instruction, to a more holistic approach that takes into account the social, emotional and leadership skills necessary for student success in the 21^st Century.

You are moving us from spreadsheets to heartbeats.

–Tim Hoss, Principal, Northport Middle School

School of Belonging goals:

Informed by the research and literature on resilience, emotional intelligence, and neuroscience, School of Belonging focuses on social culture building with teachers, mental health professionals, support staff, specialists, and leadership. It teaches the strategies to create cultural norms that promote high quality listening, feedback processes, community-building techniques and reflective practice.

The ultimate goal of TEI’s School of Belonging program is to build capacity in the areas of social skills development and culture building so that the students will achieve to their fullest potential socially, emotionally, and academically in a safe and honorable learning environment, while the teachers feel inspired and supported in their work as significant adults in the lives of their students.

Visit the School of Belonging website

Professional Training & Classroom Integration:

Online Learning Programs

Creating a School of Belonging for Teachers and Mental Health Professionals
Asynchronous micro-courses that can be taken for professional development credits.
School of Belonging Badge Program in Partnership with Lesley University:
Asynchronous micro-courses for educators that can be taken for graduate credits.
Blueprints for Belonging: Short-form audio SEL programs for teachers, school leaders and para-professionals

Student Curricula

Making Connections: K-5 SEL music dialogue curriculum
In The Middle podcast/personal narrative SEL writing curriculum for grade 5-8 students

Books from TEI

Field Guide to a School of Belonging, TEI’s core program resource (Includes a digital study guide)
A Year of Belonging, a collection of fifty two reflections and accompanying practices
Building Classroom Communities: Strategies for Developing a Culture of Caring

Each of these resources highlights David’s specialized approach to creating emotionally safe classrooms and schools in which each student’s unique expression to the world is nurtured. A critical component of TEI’s School of Belonging program is the culture work that occurs through the use of David’s Music Dialogue Process (MDP), which engages students and staff members through song, story, conversation and self-reflection, inspiring them to make a difference in the world.

School of Belonging also provides training for teachers and mental health professionals of middle school students to facilitate In the middle: Conversations for a School of Belonging. This student podcast series and guide utilizes MDP to create real-life, emotionally charged, inspiring and life-changing pro-social learning experiences.

Four Decades of Experience:

Teaching Empathy’s work is based on over 40 years of practice by Director, David Levine, as a classroom teacher, team facilitator, instructional coach, and program designer, and curriculum developer, with students, teachers, support staff, leadership, and parents.

Participant Feedback:

I feel like this training made me more aware about my students and their lives outside of my classroom
As a result of the program, students demonstrated increased kindness toward their peers. Students have begun ‘putting themselves in other people’s shoes’. Really thinking ‘How would I feel if that was me?’
I walked away with & strategies that I can immediately incorporate into my teaching
…the School of Belonging curriculum has been helpful in promoting greater self-awareness, learning to treat others with kindness, and with greater consideration of the consequences for one’s choices
Really great explanations of SEL and the practical application right away. One of the best, most useful sessions ever!
practical application
I am thankful this concept can be used easily in my classroom. It isn’t elaborate!
...I’m doing a lot of thinking about my interactions with students and using these skills in larger areas of my life
larger areas of my life
I think this is very important to implement in the school district. Much needed for teacher and students’ mental well-being

School of Belonging areas of application:

Empathy Education:

Empathy as a guiding light of consciousness is the primary focus for School of Belonging as it is infused into all aspects of the School of Belonging program.

Emotional Intelligence:

Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is defined as having the skills to manage one’s emotions while under pressure. A person with high EQ has a greater chance for healthy and productive relationships both personally and professionally.

Resilience:

School of Belonging emphasizes that each adult plays a role in helping students achieve happiness, success, and a sense of purpose in their lives. Resilient children have the pro-social skills necessary to manage the potentially difficult life situations they will face and it is each staff member’s responsibility to model and teach those skills.

Neuroscience:

School of Belonging utilizes neuroscience research in creating lessons and practices that support students and staff in regulating their responses during daily social interactions and challenges, including conflict situations.

School of Belonging Guiding Ideas:

A school environment in which acceptance, understanding and non-judgment are present, facilitates emotional safety and a sense of belonging.
When empathy is practiced by all members of the learning community, a healthy school with healthy students will be the norm.
A social and emotional learning focus positively affects students’ academic achievement.
Teachers are most effective when they have opportunities for reflective practice to enhance their collaboration skills, classroom practices and relationship-building skills.
In order to facilitate a school culture of emotional safety, para-professionals and parents must receive parallel training experiences that focus on the social and emotional well-being of the children.

How Do I Sign Up?

Please contact us to learn about our program options and pricing info(at)teachingempathyinstitute.org or (845) 687-6207