Belong & Be Brave, pins for the Student-led DEIJ AGIS Conference in 2024
The significance of those words struck me as I looked around the pins displaying the phrase 'Belong and Be Brave' at the 2024 Student-led DEIJ AGIS Conference. The choice of 'Be Brave' as part of the conference motto felt particularly meaningful, given some of the emotional hurdles some students had overcome to participate, present, and share their needs, experiences, and aspirations of true Belonging in their schools.
I was so moved to see how quickly students from different German International Schools got along immediately and engaged deeply in DEIJ-related matters. It would have taken far longer with adults!
From grappling with personal insecurities to confronting systemic injustices, bravery isn't just a choice; it's a necessity. And in the context of fostering belonging within our communities and organizations, it becomes even more vital.
Students' bravery stimulated and caused empathy in everyone who shared the space, reminding me of the immense courage required to navigate the complexities of our world today. The willingness to show up authentically, speak our truths, and stand up for what is right ultimately brings us closer together. And so, the students at the hosting Bavarian International School insisted on 'Be Brave' as the conference's guiding motto, a testament to their resilience and determination to create spaces where everyone felt valued, heard, and supported. They were right. Belonging cannot exist without courage.
As I observed the students at the conference fearlessly engage with challenging topics, I couldn't help but reflect on our staff meetings.
How often do we find ourselves mired in the familiar rhythm of discussion, longing for the same vitality and openness?
How quickly could we shift the dynamics among staff and stakeholders to embrace compassion and vulnerability as guiding principles? What barriers stand in the way of fostering a culture of bravery in our professional interactions?
You might meet the elephants in the room once you evaluate possible causes for the lack of bravery. And whatever the reasons, it's clear that we must confront the elephants in the room head-on to create meaningful change. It's not enough to pay lip service to the ideals of empathy and courage; we must actively cultivate these qualities in ourselves and each other. Only then can we build a community where every voice is heard, every perspective valued, and every individual feels empowered to be brave.
When, for example, a new student enters our school communities, many schools have a system or procedure in place to welcome them; some have a buddy week or something similar to help them transition. So we know that is important, but we tend to ignore how much courage it takes to manage all the socio-dynamics, including their fears triggered by former experiences. In one of the storytelling club sessions, my students drew comics about how they felt then or how a PYP student felt when he moved to a different section of his school. The images couldn't be more insightful.
They ought to be brave. And we somehow expect them to be.
And yet, we do not dare to be vulnerable under meeting conditions that we know by heart.
To encourage their risk-taking, we must sometimes take on the same challenge, which requires trust and empathy—both cornerstones of creating a culture of Belonging.
So, how can we create an environment with courageous paths to belonging when we already have inclusive policies and practices and a culture of Professional Development promoting Belonging?
Here is my takeaway:
Evaluate and monitor how much technology leverages or hinders a culture of Belonging. |
Promote collaborative projects between all stakeholders and sweet reads on Belonging exchange that allows personal storytelling. |
Evaluate and monitor initiatives that promote and foster Belonging as a continuum. |
Help students have safe spaces to take risks and contribute to Belonging. |
Learn from your students and see them as models who take the risk to "Belong and be Brave." |
Reflecting on the stories shared here and the insights I gained from the Student-led DEIJ AGIS Conference, it's evident that bravery plays a pivotal role in fostering belonging within our communities and organizations. As we navigate the complexities of our world, both as educators and as individuals, let's take a moment and imagine how photos would look like if you were allowed to take them right now in a cafeteria or other hot spots like staff meetings and identify "gaps of belonging" to cultivate bravery in our interactions then and create spaces where every voice is valued.
Perhaps it's through small acts of empathy and embracing the courage our students demonstrate.
Belonging provides a sense of being truly seen and valued within our communities. It is crucial to success, fostering engagement and innovation.
As I pointed out in my review of "Belonging: The Science of Creating Connection and Bridging Divides" by Geoffrey L. Cohen, in the chapter "Belonging in Schools", various factors and concepts unveil, naturally with research-based evidence, how belonging in schools - beyond a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere- enhances students' learning achievements discernably. The higher the sense of Belonging, the higher the motivation to learn and, therefore, students' learning outcomes, and the lower the disciplinary issues in schools. "To design an ideal inclusive community that "works for everyone, where everyone feels that they belong and can trust, and knows that they won't be impeded based on their identity" (Claude Steele), we need to acknowledge the ways the students' identities shape their experience of school". Only then we can "structure environments so that real connections can happen" - Geoffrey L. Cohen.
Again, identity-centered systems form the core. Building and nurturing trust and relationships are a necessity.