Building Supportive Learning Environments Through Instructional Practice

On Tuesday, August 18, from 3:00-4:30 p.m. ET, join the National Academy of Education and the Equity Assistance Center-South at the Southern Education Foundation to better understand how to use research-informed classroom practices to create learning environments that support belonging and deep learning.

Too often, schools and educators are expected to improve student outcomes without a shared understanding of the conditions that shape how students learn. This session brings together leading research and classroom perspectives to explore the instructional practices that foster belonging, engagement, and deeper learning for all students.

Featuring Megan Franke and H. Richard Milner IV alongside two educators, this conversation will bridge research and practice by highlighting research-informed instructional practices and the everyday teaching moves that make supportive learning environments visible in classrooms. Panelists will share practical, evidence-based ideas for building meaningful relationships, cultivating inclusive classroom communities, and creating learning experiences that support student engagement.

Participants will leave with:

• research-informed ideas for fostering belonging, engagement, and deeper learning;
• a stronger understanding of how students experience learning environments;
• a shared language for discussing belonging, development, motivation, and the conditions that support deeper learning; and
• practical strategies for strengthening supportive learning conditions in classrooms and schools.