Cultivating Learning Communities of Belonging
Practices for Inclusive Education
- Discipleship & Christian Education
- Publisher: Cascade Books (Wipf and Stock)
- Published: 2026
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Publisher's Description
This book is a practical guide for educators seeking to foster inclusive, supportive classrooms. It invites teachers and school leaders to reflect on how race, trauma, sexual orientation, and cultural background shape classroom experiences and school culture. Rather than offering simple solutions, this book poses transformative questions: How do racism and oppression contribute to student alienation? How can school culture be a catalyst for social change? And most centrally, how can we create inclusive communities that value diversity? Each chapter includes reflective questions and suggested group practices designed to build trust and deepen understanding. Educators are encouraged to share their stories, bear witness to others, and participate in the shared work of reimagining education. Through structured group study, this book helps educators not only learn about belonging—but practice it. Whether read alone or in community, Cultivating Learning Communities of Belonging is a call to co-create classrooms that reflect the full beauty of God’s image in every learner.
Endorsements (4)
“Dr. Edith van der Boom has crafted this book out of a personal and professional commitment to behold students as image bearers and to encourage them to meet the creator in the learning communities they belong to. It is a beautiful read; highly practical recommendations are woven through stories from Edith’s life, experience, teacher friendships, and professional networks. The reader is invited to step in to their own story and imagine how even small shifts in practice can have a meaningful impact. This book is for all educators; I encourage you to read it to reflect, act, and cultivate learning communities of belonging right where you are.”
“This book takes a sincere, humble, and sensitive dive into the challenging topics educators need to consider in order to better connect the teaching of Jesus and how that translates into actual classroom practice. Thoughtfully designed study guides help educators to reflect deeply to develop authentic learning communities. Highly recommended!”
“With examples from her own personal and professional experience, Edith van der Boom shows the transformative power of critically reflecting on our understanding of God’s story, and its impact on mindset and practice. She links this with our awareness of being imago Dei, made in the image of God. This book will be valuable for all educators and school board members who are seeking to nurture school communities that reflect the grace of God that they have received themselves.”
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