Research consistently shows that students who feel a sense of belonging at school are more engaged, attend more regularly, and perform significantly better on standardized measures of reading and math. At a time when Michigan continues to grapple with chronic absenteeism and works to improve outcomes for students across the state, fostering belonging isn’t a distraction from academic achievement; it’s one of the most overlooked strategies we have.
Before students can achieve academically, they need environments where they feel safe, respected and connected. Before educators can sustain a career in the classroom, they need workplaces where they feel valued and supported.
I learned that lesson long before I became chief of staff at Teach For America Detroit and began helping lead TeachMichigan, our statewide educator talent initiative.
Growing up in a small rural town in South Florida, I didn’t see many examples of people like me. As I began to understand I was gay, I also internalized the idea that it was something to hide. I experienced bullying. For a period of my life, I started to hate myself for it.
Looking back, I realize much of that struggle wasn’t really about being gay. It was about belonging. I lacked examples of people living openly and authentically. I lacked a community that consistently communicated I was enough exactly as I was. And when you don’t see yourself reflected in the world around you, it’s easy to begin questioning your own worth.
It took years to unlearn those lessons. But I made a commitment to myself to embrace who I am, live authentically, and never allow shame to define my life. That journey has shaped who I am and how I lead.
Belonging helps students and educators thrive
Today, I work alongside educators and school leaders across Michigan. Over the last seven years, I’ve had the privilege of working with incredible colleagues and partners to launch educator fellowships, strengthen teacher leadership, and create opportunities for educators to learn, grow, and lead together. Whether in Detroit, Flint, Sault Ste. Marie, Kalkaska or the many communities in between, one thing I’ve learned is that we don’t always give each other enough credit for all that we have in common.
Across the state, I’ve been met with kindness, generosity, and a shared commitment to young people. Whether sitting in a coffee shop in Sault Ste. Marie talking with educators about expanding their impact, or reflecting with educators in Flint on how they’ve brought fellowship learning back to their classrooms, I’ve connected with many whose stories often aren’t all that different from my own.
More than once, someone has thanked me for being open about who I am. Not because there’s anything remarkable about my story, but because seeing someone live authentically can remind us that we don’t have to hide parts of ourselves.
While being gay is only one part of who I am, it has shaped how I see the world. It has given me a greater appreciation for what it feels like to be unseen, misunderstood, or different.
More than anything, it has reinforced a simple truth: every person wants to be seen, valued, respected, and loved for who they are. And when that happens, people thrive.
At TeachMichigan, we pay close attention to belonging. Multiple times each year, we ask educators whether we’re creating a welcoming space where they can show up as their full selves. Year after year, nearly 100% agree or strongly agree that they feel welcomed, valued, and respected.
That isn’t an accident. It’s the result of creating environments where people feel valued and supported.
We measure it because we know belonging helps make excellence possible. At a time when school districts across Michigan are working to recruit and retain talented educators, creating environments where people feel valued isn’t just the right thing to do. It may be one of the most effective retention strategies we have.
Pride Month points to a better vision for Michigan schools
This Pride Month, my hope is simple.
Let’s continue building schools where every student knows they belong. Let’s continue creating environments where educators can show up fully and focus on helping young people learn, grow, and succeed.
A Michigan where every student and educator knows they belong isn’t a Democratic vision or a Republican vision. It’s a human one.
And if we’re serious about becoming one of the best states in the country for students and educators, belonging must be foundational.
Because when students know they matter, they learn. When educators know they belong, they stay. And when both are true, extraordinary things become possible.
Jacob Robinson-Suarez is chief of staff at Teach For America Detroit, where he leads long-term strategy and helps drive cross-functional alignment, organizational performance and execution toward TeachMichigan’s vision for educator excellence and student success. Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters, and we may publish it online and in print.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Belonging is how Michigan schools help LGBTQ+ students thrive | Opinion
Reporting by Jacob Robinson-Suarez, Op-ed contributor / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jacob Robinson-Suarez, Op-ed contributor | USA TODAY Network
