Kristen Low

Teacher and Learning Leader @ Pacific Christian School, M. Ed graduate, ELDI Graduate

[InspirED Convention @InspirEDConv]

Interested in event planning and Christian education? Visit our website for more info!

[InspirED Convention @InspirEDConv]

Thank you to all of our attendees!

[InspirED Convention @InspirEDConv]

A thank you, from our director, Kristen Low.
https://t.co/xIIK8enGZx

[Kristen Low @MissLowPCS]

@InspirEDConv Can’t wait!

[Kristen Low @MissLowPCS]

We are exactly one month away from our convention! The CoPs are coming together, coaches are prepping, and God is working throughout it all. We can’t wait to be with you.
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Early bird registration closes next Friday so register now before prices go up!

[InspirED Convention @InspirEDConv]

We are so lucky to have Karen and Natalia with us as coaches. They have a love for reading and Christian education! Both educators are from @lyndenchristian!
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A reminder that registration opens on Friday! Don’t miss out on the early bird sale!

[InspirED Convention @InspirEDConv]

Over the next few days, we’ll share details about each CoP and the coach. First up, Brenda Wind from Langley Christian School!
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Registration opens Friday!

[InspirED Convention @InspirEDConv]

Want to know more about Inspired 2025, our latest newsletter just came out! https://t.co/Uhxuj58GAS

[🔥Teachers On Fire @TeachersOnFire]

17 Easy Ways to Build Belonging in Your Classroom This Year

We’re almost there, colleague. The first day of classes for my Vancouver elementary school is Tuesday. Classrooms are coming together and teachers are hyped.

Our theme this year is You Belong.

Every educator knows that students learn best when they feel safe, loved, included, and appreciated. This is the work we already do on a daily basis, but this year, we’re taking things to another level.

Before heading to the beach on Wednesday, we asked our teachers and paraprofessionals to break into small groups and share: How do you create a sense of belonging for every student in your class?

I work with some brilliant educators, I tell you. What follows is just a sampling of their ideas. I hope you find them helpful as you create a sense of belonging for every student in your classroom this year.

1. Find one thing about each student that you really love about them and write it down. Revisit it with them throughout the year.

2. If your students eat in groups in the classroom, try “setting the table” with a placemat in front of each student.

3. Sit with students while they eat sometimes.

4. When one of your students has a birthday, ask them to stand on a birthday chair in the middle of the room and wear a birthday hat. Lead the rest of the class in a song and do a silly dance around them. Have fun watching their face as you do!

5. Print the class photo (and enlarge it if possible). Post it in a highly visible place in the room — on your desk, at the front, or near the door. Remind students that this is our class community and every member is important.

6. Use stories to reinforce the idea of belonging. Talk to your friendly librarian for read-aloud book ideas.

7. Ask all students to share things that they appreciate about the birthday student of the day. If you trust your group and the culture in your room, say these things out loud.

8. Collect written affirmations for the “cool kid of the week” and display a word cloud about them by the end of the week.

9. Early into the year, survey your students to find out someone they are grateful to work with, someone they appreciate, and one thing that they would like you to know about them.

10. Build the idea that each table group is a “crew.” We look out for our crew, which means we’re responsible for each other, we actively care for each other, pray for each other, and follow up with each other after absences.

11. Ask your teacher-librarian to help you connect students in different classes. For example, if one of your students is a big anime fan but they don’t find a lot of support in your class, your librarian likely knows other students in your building who are also big anime fans.

12. Acknowledge every student by name with a smile every morning. Let your face say “I’m glad you’re here.”

13. Make a point of acknowledging student absences when they return. “Hey, you’re back! We missed you.”

14. Ask students to support you in your learning space who you might not normally call upon for help. As teachers, it’s easy to call on the students who can’t wait to help us. Sometimes, we need to flip the script and call on the students who can cause frustration. Contribution = inclusion.

15. Ask your students’ parents to send in a physical photo of their entire family. Post these family photos in a special place in the classroom to honour each family that’s represented in the room.

16. When it’s your student’s birthday, try arranging a visit by their buddy (if your school uses a buddy class system). This can be especially touching if the buddy happens to be much older than your student.

17. Try singing Happy Birthday in every language represented in the class.

If you’ve read this far, you care deeply about kids. Thank you for that.

You likely also have some great ideas or strategies of your own. Please share them below.

Wishing you a great first week of school as you build a sense of belonging for every student in your building,
Tim

[InspirED Convention @InspirEDConv]

As we head into the last few months of planning InspirED 2025, we continue to look for sponsors as we try to provide special and unique professional development opportunities for our educators. If you'd like to sponsor a "learning coach" or our "online experience," let us know.

[Kristen Low @MissLowPCS]

@InspirEDConv @SCSBC1 @MisterCavey @epellefsen @eckertjon @baylorcsl This is going to be awesome! Collaborating with others who are wanting to grow in the same areas! Amazing!

[InspirED Convention @InspirEDConv]

If you’re interested in leading one of these CoP groups, send us an email or a message!
Or, if you want more info about our convention or sponsorship opportunities, please visit our website!

[InspirED Convention @InspirEDConv]

InspirED 2025 - November 10, 2025
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We are excited to offer 8 different Community of Practice (CoP) groups at InspirED 2025! These groups will meet over the course of the day, led by amazing coaches.
@SCSBC1 @MisterCavey @epellefsen @eckertjon @baylorcsl @MissLowPCS

[InspirED Convention @InspirEDConv]

Are you passionate about Christian education and supporting educators on their own learning journey? If yes, consider sponsoring InspirEd 2025 as we help to provide Christian based professional development for educators across the Pacific Northwest.

[Principal Project @PrincipalProj]

Here's your map to classroom walkthrough success, via leader Victor Uribe. 🗺️📍

[Kristen Low @MissLowPCS]

Did some OSMO coding today 🎉

[Kristen Low @MissLowPCS]

How has it been a week already since this happened? #STEAMNight2025

[Kristen Low @MissLowPCS]

STEAM Night 2025 is in the books. The biggest one we’ve had since I started it. 430 people through our learning stations. @PCSVictoria #myfavouritedayoftheschoolyear