Build identity safety through empathy-building, connection tools, and values affirmation routines¶

Strategy · All strategies
Evidence · no claims cited

Description¶

The report recommends concrete relationship-building strategies: empathy-enhancing experiences for teachers, connection-building tools that surface commonalities between teachers and students, and values affirmation interventions that guide students to reflect on "things most important to them." These strategies tell students that teachers want to learn about them and give educators information that enriches teaching. They are implemented at critical times such as the beginning of the year and before tests.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Willingness of educators to reflect on their own relationships with students and learn about students' experiences and goals

Constraints¶

• Effects reported for stigmatized student groups facing social identity threat; the report ties values affirmation to critical moments in the school year

Target Learners¶

• Middle and high school students, particularly Black, Latinx, and other minoritized students

Target Learning Goals¶

• Positive teacher–student relationships
• Reduced stereotype threat
• Higher academic performance

Affordances¶

• Identity Safety Four Practice Areas Framework

Related Strategies¶

• Develop Cultural Awareness
• Building a Trusting Community
• Teacher Racial Identity Work
• Start with Yourself (Identity Mapping)

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• Hernández, L. E., & Darling-Hammond, L. (2022). Creating identity-safe schools and classrooms. Learning Policy Institute. https://doi.org/10.54300/165.102