The hallway felt heavier than usual as November crept toward the holidays. Mrs. Jones, a veteran urban educator, could feel it before the first bell even rang—the slumped shoulders, the rushed footsteps, the unspoken tension simmering beneath her students’ morning greetings. Every year it arrived the same way, quietly at first, then all at once: the weight her students carried into the building right before the holiday season. But this year, Mrs. Jones noticed a difference in

In the heart of every urban classroom lies a powerful truth: relationships are the foundation of learning. Students in urban schools—often navigating complex social, economic, and emotional realities—crave connection, respect, and belonging as much as they need academic instruction. One of the simplest yet most profound ways an educator can build that connection is through eye contact. As urban educators, our social and emotional competency (SEC) is tested daily. We juggle be

In urban education, academic success is often intertwined with a student’s social and emotional experiences both inside and outside the...