Table of Contents
About the Authors xi
Preface: Our Journeys to Blended Education xiii
Stephanie's Background: Education Is a Journey Together xiii
Kathryn's Background: Education Is a Public Health Profession xv
A Note About Methodology xvii
Introduction: People-Centered Approaches to Teaching 1
We Open With Heart 3
Connection With Intention 4
People-Centered Practices 5
The Structure of This Book 6
Classroom Habits of Reflective Practitioners 11
Part I Reimagining the Online Classroom 13
1 Reimagining School as a Community Project 15
Adaptation to Online Instruction 16
Strategies for Establishing a Safe, Nurturing, and Trusting Virtual Classroom 19
Strategies for Connecting Language and Community 23
Strategies for Creating Community Through Extracurricular Opportunities 25
Strategies for Building a Positive Classroom Culture in Blended and Online Settings 32
Key Classroom Takeaway: The World Is Small and Deeply Connected 35
Summary 36
Chapter 1 Apply It to Your Practice 38
2 Cultivating Strengths-Based Approaches for Am Inclusion, Support, and Counseling 43
Lived-Experience Case Studies 46
Strategies for Building a Support System in Online and Blended Models 51
Strategies for Individual Planning 58
Strategies for Affirming Identities 62
Strategies for Adult Learning 65
Strategies for Taking a People-Centered Approach to Student Support 68
Key Classroom Takeaway: Practice Radical Hope One Conversation at a Time 70
Summary 70
Chapter 2 Apply It to Your Practice 72
3 Fostering Relationships Through Connection-Based Feedback 75
Feedback as a Conversation 76
Strategies for Connecting Daily With Students 79
Strategies for Connecting Through Feedback 81
Strategies for Cultivating Connection 86
Strategies for Using the Four-Step Feedback Process 90
Key Classroom Takeaway: All Teaching Is a Conversation 99
Summary 99
Chapter 3 Apply It to Your Practice 101
Part II Ensuring Equity and Inclusion in the Online Classroom 103
4 Centering Student Stories 105
Connection Built Through Stones 107
Strategies for Cultivating Empathy in Your Classroom 112
Strategies for Encouraging Connection Through Music and Poetry 116
Strategies for Supporting Gender Inclusivity in the Blended Classroom 118
Strategies for Making Global Connections 121
Key Classroom Takeaway: Story Sharing Makes Space for Empathy and Connection 122
Summary 123
Chapter 4 Apply it to Your Practice 124
5 Honoring Multilingual and Multicultural Learners 127
Teaching in a Multilingual and Multicultural World 129
Strategies for Celebrating Home Language in Your Classroom 131
Strategies for Honoring Student Voice and Home Language in the Online Elementary Classroom 134
Strategies for Learning With Multilingual and Multicultural Students in Online Settings 141
Strategies for Building Culturally Responsive, Self-Paced E-Learning 144
Key Classroom Takeaway: Celebrate Linguistic Diversity 147
Summary 148
Chapter 5 Apply It to Your Practice 150
6 Leveraging Opportunities for Gifted and Talented Students 153
Three Barriers to Learning for Gifted Students 154
Talent Development 156
Giftedness 157
Differentiation 158
Strategies for Bringing Coaching and Connection to the Online and Blended Classroom 161
Strategies for Engaging Learners Beyond Content Areas 166
Key Classroom Takeaway: Employ Wholehearted Teaching for Neurodiverse Classrooms 168
Summary 169
Chapter 6 Apply it to Your Practice 171
Conclusion 173
Kathryn's Takeaways 173
Stephanie's Takeaways 176
We Close With Heart 179
Appendix: Focus Group Transcript 183
Glossary 193
References and Resources 201
Index 209
