Nurturing Hope, Sense of Belonging and Engagement through Equity

Abstract

This chapter discusses the notions of equity, hope and sense of belonging and their vital roles in enhancing student engagement. The main focus is to present how hope, sense of belonging and engagement can be nurtured by putting equity in the centre of what we do in facilitating student learning. In paying careful attention to these concepts, especially in implementing equity as a transformative solution to various educational challenges, educators are warned to be prepared to recognize student diversity and redistribute resources and services to all students who need them, experience anxiety and discomfort as they engage in difficult conversations, value and honour the unique backgrounds of each student, expect cultural mismatches in working with diverse students, use data consistently to inform and differentiate instruction and expect that the work in promoting equity is an ongoing and long-lasting advocacy.

Citation

Lalas, J.W., Charest, B., Strikwerda, H. and Ordaz, M. (2019), "Nurturing Hope, Sense of Belonging and Engagement through Equity", Promoting Social Inclusion (International Perspectives on Inclusive Education, Vol. 13), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 41-52. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1479-363620190000013004