"I Kind of Have That Place to Sit": First-Year Teachers' Experiences of Belonging

• In Event: Teacher Learning: Belonging, Becoming, and Believing

Abstract

Sense of belonging is a fundamental human need and driver of human behavior. A large corpus of literature explores the antecedents and extolls benefits of increased sense of belonging for students in K-12 learning contexts. However, there is scant research exploring the antecedents and benefits of sense belonging for K-12 teachers generally, and even less scholarship examining belonging in first-year teachers. Drawing on interview data, this study explores how new teachers experience belonging over the course of their first year in the classroom. Findings indicate the importance of supportive colleagues, contribution and recognition, and community involvement in fostering belonging. This paper offers potential insights for school leadership and new avenues for future research.

Author

• Peter Bjorklund, University of California - San Diego