Early Career Teaching Institute

In the modern classroom, academic success is deeply intertwined with a student's sense of belonging. This session,The Power of Play: Building Inclusive Classroom Communities Through Games, explores how the intentional use of games can serve as a primary engine for community building, moving beyond simple "icebreakers" into sustained social-emotional development.

The focus of this workshop is twofold: the mechanics of inclusive play and the cultivation of empathy. Participants will examine how specific game structures can break down social barriers and provide a safe space for students to take risks. We will specifically address how to design play-based activities that encourage participation from all students—including those who are traditionally more reserved—by leveraging collaborative goals rather than purely competitive ones.

Connection to Practice:

This session is designed to be experiential and immediately applicable. Rather than just discussing theory, attendees will:

By the end of the session, early career educators will leave with a versatile toolkit of activities and a clear framework for using play to transform a group of students into a cohesive, empathetic community.

This interactive workshop supports early-career educators in identifying and implementing gender-inclusive classroom and school-based practices. Drawing on research about LGBTQ+ student well-being, school climate, and organizational leadership, participants will examine how policies and everyday practices, from enrollment forms to classroom instruction, can reinforce or disrupt gender binaries and inequities.

Situating gender inclusivity within current legal and policy contexts, including Title IX guidance and evolving state and local policies, participants will then explore how school structures, educator beliefs, and leadership practices can either perpetuate or interrupt bias-based harm. The session will move beyond moving beyond deficit narratives in recognizing the resilience and leadership of LGBTQ+ youth while also addressing documented disparities in safety, mental health, and academic outcomes.

Through case-based discussions, reflection activities, and practical strategy sharing, participants will identify concrete ways to create affirming learning environments. These include adapting curriculum, revising gendered routines, supporting student organizations, and advocating for inclusive policies.