COLLABORATE. INSPIRE. IMPROVE. THRIVE.

 Belonging and Professional Efficacy

• A sense of belonging among educators correlates with:
  • Lower burnout
  • Higher self-efficacy
    Greater commitment to equity and inclusion
  • Source: Collie et al. (2016), Teachers’ perceived autonomy support and well-being: The role of school climate and trust
• Belonging also boosts educator-student relationships, making teachers more likely to connect with and advocate for diverse student needs.

Psychological Safety and School Climate

• Educator psychological safety—the belief that one can take risks, voice ideas, or express concerns without fear of negative consequences—improves collaboration, innovation, and school climate.
  • Source: Edmondson, A. (1999). Psychological Safety and Learning Behavior in Work Teams.
    In schools, this translates into higher team functioning and shared leadership, which leads to improved outcomes for students.

“When educators feel safe to be vulnerable, schools become places of real learning—for both staff and students.” – (Kraft & Papay, 2014)

Teacher Significance and Retention

• Teachers who feel valued and heard are more likely to remain in their roles.
  • One study found that teachers who feel respected and involved in decision-making are 3.4 times more likely to stay (Ingersoll et al., 2014).
  • Schools with high levels of teacher voice have lower turnover, especially in high-poverty contexts (TNTP, 2012).

“It’s not just about salary—teachers stay where they feel they make a difference and are supported.” – TNTP, The Irreplaceables (2012)

School Culture and Student Achievement

• Schools with positive staff culture and shared values have:
  • Higher student test scores
  • Improved attendance and graduation rates
  • Reduced behavioral issues
  • Source: Leithwood et al. (2004), Review of Research: How Leadership Influences Student Learning

Inclusive & Equitable Leadership

• Leaders who intentionally foster staff belonging—through listening, collaboration, and shared power—contribute to:
  • Greater equity in school policies
  • Stronger implementation of student-centered initiatives
  • Better alignment between adult and student SEL outcomes
• Source: The Aspen Institute (2018), CASEL, Learning Policy Institute

A few References

• EdTrust – Teacher voice and equity
• Learning Policy Institute – Teacher turnover studies
• Aspen Institute – School Climate Playbook
• CASEL – Alignment of adult and student SEL