Centering Student and Educator Voice: A Regional High School’s Improvement Journey to Belonging (Poster 32)

• In Event: Saturday Poster Sessions 7:45 am
  In Poster Session: Fostering Inclusive Research-Practice Partnerships: Empowering Student, Educator, and Teacher Voice Across Educational Contexts

Abstract

Leaders at Tech Valley High School (TVHS), a regional public school in New York, were eager to address students’ needs as they adapted to growing challenges to youth’s mental, social, and emotional wellbeing amid the COVID-19 pandemic recovery period. Intent on expanding the diversity in their student body and developing stronger supports for their underrepresented students, TVHS leaders joined a Research Practice Partnership (RPP) through which they received guidance as they engaged in collaborative continuous inquiry to meet their ultimate objective of creating a strong school culture of belonging. TVHS leaders approached their aim of increasing student belongingness through careful data analysis, providing space for youth to be active participants in the improvement process, and empowering the voices of educators.

Authors

• Jessie Tobin, University at Albany - SUNY

• Kristen C. Wilcox, University at Albany - SUNY