• Fostering community and collaboration between new & seasoned educators 

    The BELONG Partners District Model is a comprehensive approach to school transformation that focuses on building capacity and sustainability within a school district. Through this train-the-trainer model, our experienced facilitators work closely with regional coaches hired by a district to implement the BELONG Partners approach in their schools. One of our original District Model partners […]

  • The Crisis of Loneliness, and How Schools Help Build Connection and Community

    The Crisis of Loneliness, and How Schools Help Build Connection and Community

    According to a new advisory from the U.S. Surgeon General, a lack of social connection can increase the risk for multiple negative health outcomes. And among individuals in the US, there is a troubling trend of severe loneliness. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, there were concerning levels of isolation among adults living in this country. […]

  • BELONG Partners District Model Schools Hold 2nd Annual Convening in Medford, Oregon

    The BELONG Partners Model currently includes 11 schools from across 4 counties and 5 school districts in southern Oregon. This spring we co-hosted our second annual convening of twenty-five educators, representing our eight Whole School Partner schools in Medford, Oregon. They came together to collaboratively reflect on their practice, celebrate their accomplishments, and initiate plans […]

  • Growing Through the Changes

    Just like in nature, community groups, school systems, and school communities grow in response to the environments around them. Sometimes schools are able to forecast changing needs and intentionally create new systems, and sometimes the environment forces change. School systems and communities have grown and changed based on new research, the experience of educators, and […]

  • Easy Ways to Appreciate & Celebrate Yourself and Your Coworkers

    Easy Ways to Appreciate & Celebrate Yourself and Your Coworkers

    In our opinion, educators have one of the hardest jobs in the country. For educators who have been navigating challenging behaviors all year and still showing up day after day, we see you. For educators that are tired and frustrated, we appreciate you. For the educators that find hope in the small wins with students, […]

  • Parents & Families Can Show Appreciation for Educators All Year Long

    Parents & Families Can Show Appreciation for Educators All Year Long

    We appreciate educators year-round for all their hard work, and in May, Teacher Appreciation Week gives us a chance to celebrate them and show educators how much we value them! Through COVID-19 scares, virtual teaching, and returning to in-person school, educators have remained nimble and dedicated in serving our students and families. Here are a […]

  • Teaching boundary setting and repair conversations

    Teaching boundary setting and repair conversations

    As educators, we teach so much more than algebra and spelling to our students. Crucial life skills, such as self-regulation, repairing harm, and setting healthy boundaries to prevent harm, are just a few of the life lessons we can provide for our students. Teaching the importance of boundaries, how to communicate your needs, and how […]

  • Relationship Tools You Can Use to Repair Mistakes and Maintain Connection with Your Child

    Relationship Tools You Can Use to Repair Mistakes and Maintain Connection with Your Child

    Conflict is an inevitable part of life, and we often are not taught how to repair harm once it occurs, especially not with our children. It is vital for parents and caregivers to remain in healthy connection with their child after conflict occurs, and to model what an effective repair conversation looks like. This not […]

  • Staff Interviews – Mary Stillwell Power, Communications and Marketing Manager

    March is Women’s History Month as well as National Working Mom’s Day. We asked several of our Sound Discipline colleagues to share the stories of their experiences as working moms. Thank you Mary, for sharing your story!   Why do you work in education? And/or supporting educators? I’ve had several positions teaching adults or running […]

  • Create an Inclusive Classroom Community by Learning Neurodiversity and Brain Science

    Create an Inclusive Classroom Community by Learning Neurodiversity and Brain Science

    March includes both Neurodiversity Celebration Week and Brain Science Awareness Week. Helping students learn about neurodiversity and brain science helps to create an inclusive classroom community while building empathy and self-awareness. Here are a few ways you and your students can explore brain science and neurodiversity.   Learn About Neurodiversity According to this Harvard Medical School […]