Presented by Juliana Urtubey, 2021 National Teacher of the Year and Special Education Co-Teacher, Kermit Booker Elementary School (NV); and Alison R. Shell, Ph.D., Research Scientist, Learner Variability Project, Digital Promise
Moderated by Barbara A. Pape, Director of Policy and Communications, Learner Variability Project, Digital Promise

Sponsored by Digital Promise

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A most striking outcome of teaching and learning during the pandemic is how much relationships matter, how relevant is SEL, and the importance of creating a sense of belonging where each student and their family know they are welcomed and embraced in their classrooms and school. But what does it mean to belong? How can educators create a sense of belonging in their classrooms and schools and consider all facets of a student’s identity?

This edWebinar features the 2021 National Teacher of the Year Juliana Urtubey, NBCT, and her ideas and strategies for building and nurturing relationships to ensure that all students and their families know they belong. From spending the time to better understand her students to creating a flourishing community garden that unites students, families, and teachers, Ms. Urtubey offers hands-on examples of building social connections so each student can thrive, including students with learning differences.

We also highlight the research behind belonging, which shows that students who report a stronger sense of belonging in school typically have greater self-efficacy and academic success.

In this recorded edWebinar, discover:

• What it means to belong
• How belonging is related to identity
• Research supporting belonging
• Specific strategies for creating a sense of belonging in the classroom and school

This recorded edWebinar will be of interest to all PreK-12 educators, school and district leaders, and higher education staff. 

About the Presenters

Juliana Urtubey is spending this year advocating for a joyous and just education for all students that celebrates their families, identities, and communities. Juliana, a National Board Certified Teacher, is known as “Ms. Earth” for her efforts to beautify schools and unify the community through murals and gardens. She is a special education co-teacher at Kermit Booker Elementary School in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Juliana holds a bachelor’s degree in bilingual elementary education and a master’s degree in special bilingual education from the University of Arizona. She is a National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Board of Directors member and Teacher Fellow, a Nevada Teach Plus Senior Policy Fellow, and an Understood Teacher Fellow and mentor. She is also a winner of the 2018 Rogers Foundation Heart of Education award.

Alison R. Shell, Ph.D. is a research scientist on the Learner Variability Project team for Digital Promise. Her work focuses on digging up evidence to support the factors that underlie learner success. She earned her Ph.D. in cognitive psychology at the University of Maryland, with a focus on the cognitive processes that underlie language. Prior to moving to Washington D.C., she was involved in research projects in the Boston area, including investigating the biological underpinnings of autism and working to develop more linguistically sound reading assessments for young-adult readers. Alison received her M.S. in psychology from the University of Maryland and her B.A. in cognitive science from Vassar College.

About the Moderator

Barbara A. Pape is the policy and communications director for the Learner Variability Project at Digital Promise. She has 20 years’ experience in strategic communications, writing, and policy analysis, primarily in education. Previously, she served as the executive producer of the award-winning Teaching & Learning conference, sponsored by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, where she developed content and oversaw outreach and communications. As a writer, she has written for numerous publications, including Harvard University, the National Education Goals Panel (U.S. Department of Education), and Parents magazine. Barbara also served as editor and publisher of the first electronically delivered education newsletter, the Daily Report Card. She served on the Advisory Board of the Kennedy Center’s Intersection of Arts Education and Special Education Committee, serves as a judge for the Milken-Penn Graduate School of Education Business Plan competition, and is on the Boards at the Education Writers Association and Potentia. She earned an Ed.M. at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education and launched her career as a middle school language arts teacher.

Closed captioning will be added to the recording within 2 weeks of the live presentation.

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Digital Promise was created with the mission to accelerate innovation in education to improve opportunities to learn.