What does it mean to truly belong in a classroom? For many students, the feeling of belonging isn’t automatic—it’s something that has to be cultivated. In this episode of The What and Who of EDU, we explore how educators are creating inclusive learning environments where students feel seen, valued, and empowered to take academic risks.

From learning every student’s name to designing assignments that reflect their lived experiences, we highlight 10 powerful ways professors are fostering belonging in their classrooms. By the end of this episode, you’ll walk away with actionable strategies that can make a real difference in student confidence, engagement and success.

Today's Syllabus:

The Power of a Name (Dr. Erika Martinez – How Learning Names Can Build Student Confidence) [02:01] Seeing Themselves in Science (Dr. Christin Monroe – How Identity Shapes Classroom Engagement) [04:28] Representation in the Curriculum (Julie Moore – Teaching Diverse Voices to Reflect Student Identities) [06:10] Building Community ... With Tea & Biscuits (Jennifer Duncan – Ungraded Discussion Spaces That Foster Connection) [08:22] Face to Face in Online Classes (Betsy Langness – Using Video Blogs to Create a Sense of Presence) [10:24] Celebrate Little Wins (Dr. Margaret Holloway – The Power of Recognition and Encouragement) [12:08] Service Learning & Real-World Impact (Dr. Jennifer Ripley Stueckle – How Hands-On Projects Build Confidence) [13:49] Assignments That Feel Relevant (Adriana Bryant – Using Music, Art, and Culture to Engage Students) [17:13] Teamwork That Works (Dr. Mike May – Making Group Work Meaningful and Motivating) [18:45] We Speak Flowers, Not Weeds (Dr. Amy Goodman – Reframing Failure to Build a Growth Mindset) [20:00]

Instructors (in order of appearance):

Dr. Erika Martinez is a Professor of Instruction at the University of South Florida, where she has been teaching economics for 14 years. She also teaches at UNC-Kenan Flagler Business School’s MBA@UNC online program and Santa Barbara City College, covering courses from principles of economics to advanced microeconomic theory and many economic electives. She is the recipient of multiple teaching awards and is passionate about making economics accessible and engaging for all students.

Dr. Christin Monroe is an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Landmark College, where she has been teaching for five years. She teaches in Principles of Chemistry, Introduction to Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Biochemistry, with a focus on supporting neurodivergent learners through inclusive and innovative teaching practices.

Julie Moore has been teaching writing, literature, and writing center pedagogy in Higher Education for 35 years; presently, she works as a Senior Online Academic Advisor and First-Year Composition Instructor for Eastern University's LifeFlex program. The author of four collections of poems, Moore has recently won the Donald Murray Prize from Writing on the Edge and several notable prizes for her poetry.

Jennifer Duncan is Associate Professor of English at Georgia State University's Perimeter College. Jennifer has been teaching English literature and composition for twenty-five years and specializing in online teaching for fifteen.

Betsy Langness has been with Jefferson Community and Technical College since 2002. Prior to becoming a full-time faculty member in 2015, she was a Counselor at the college and taught as an adjunct for 9 years. Before coming to Jefferson, she was a Senior Academic Advisor for the Honors Program at the University of Louisville. She is currently teaching general and developmental psychology courses in a virtual, asynchronous environment.

Dr. Margaret Holloway is an Assistant Professor of English and the Composition Coordinator in the English & Modern Languages Department at Clark Atlanta University. Her research is rooted in the rhetoric and composition discipline, and she has nine years of college-level teaching experience.

Dr. Jennifer Ripley Stueckle has spent the past 17 years as a Teaching Professor and Non-Majors Biology Program Director at West Virginia University. While Dr. Ripley Stueckle expertise centers around toxicology and fish physiology, she has taught introductory biology, introductory biology labs, immunology, and human physiology, in addition to creating and directing the introductory biology courses offered through dual enrollment at West Virginia high schools.

Dr. Mike May is the lower division coordinator in the department of mathematics and statistics at Saint Louis University, where he has taught for more than 30 years. During that time he has looked at how to effectively incorporate numerous technologies into effectively teaching mathematics. He is currently looking at using spreadsheets in teaching mathematics to business students.

Adriana Bryant is an English and Developmental English Instructor at Lone Star College- Kingwood in Texas. She teaches courses of different modalities, and strives to create an engaging environment that helps foster her students' growth and overall desire to learn. She also contributes to professional development within my department and college community.

Amy Goodman is a Senior Lecturer in the Mathematics Department at Baylor University, where she has taught since 1999. In addition to teaching, she is also a course designer (for the Mathematics Department and the School of Education), OER author, teaching mentor to other faculty and graduate students, and learning analytics researcher. Her pedagogy is founded on the belief that all students - any student - can be successful at mathematics.

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