In this episode, we talk with educators Dr. Laurie Barron and Dr. Patti Kinney. Dr. Barron is currently the superintendent at Evergreen Public Schools in Kalispell, Montana and was recently named Montana’s superintendent of the year in 2021. Dr. Kinney has been a teacher and administrator at the middle levels of education in the state of Oregon where she was named the Oregon Assistant Principal-of-the Year in 2003. Together, they’ve co-authored a third book called We Belong: 50 Strategies to Create Community and Revolutionize Classroom Management. From their rich experiences and active research, they share the secret to every positive learning environment: belonging. All people need a place where their roots can grow deep – what if the classroom became this safe place for students! We discuss ideas for intentionally creating belonging and fostering a respectful culture.

Resources:

We Belong: 50 Strategies to Create Community and Revolutionize Classroom Management

Book Recommendations:

Building Strong Human Bridges, Ten Tools for Success, Harry Amend

The Unfinished Leader, Michael Lubelfeld, Nick Polyak, and PJ Caposey