Lessons in Community

“In the voice of a teacher, this book is a practical gem in the growing collection of resources supporting educators who want to manage their classrooms with care, dignity, decency, and reverence for children at the center of their every action.”

— Carla Shalaby, author of Troublemakers: Lessons in Freedom From Young Children at School

“As a classroom teacher, I appreciate that Lessons in Community offers a thoughtful and practical path to align my day-to-day teaching with the belief that all children deserve dignity and agency at school. Moving away from methods built on control and compliance can feel daunting, but this book provides clear guidance and practical lessons that show teachers how we can create a more equitable and caring classroom community.”

— Jessica DiBeneditto, sixth-grade teacher

“Mari Dean captures the frustration educators are experiencing regarding the ineffectiveness of management ‘tricks’ in addressing the deeper challenges faced by our students. Mari’s approach guides learners to observe and reflect on everyday interactions and then collaborate to find solutions that work for the classroom community. This is a must have resource for building student efficacy, collective responsibility, and enduring social and emotional skills.”

— Mary Anne Buckley, author of Sharing the Blue Crayon: How to Integrate Social, Emotional, and Literacy Learning

“Lessons in Community is a much-needed and practical guide for educators who are looking to build a stronger, more connected classroom community through the lens of social-emotional learning. Mari doesn’t just offer theory – she gives educators the tools they need to get started right away. The book is thoughtfully organized with ready-to-use lessons, anchor charts, and interactive read aloud ideas. The scenarios and students described in each chapter reflect real classrooms and real challenges, making it easy for teachers to connect the dots to their own practice. In a time when SEL is more critical than ever, Lessons in Community is a valuable resource that will inspire reflection, empathy, and meaningful change in your teaching.”

— Catherine Giacomo, National Board Certified first-grade teacher for thirty years

“Lessons in Community is chock-full of ideas, strategies and resources for how we can support our youth. Designed specifically for teachers of elementary students, Mari incorporates research, additional resources and clear strategies for implementation and supporting our students to be at their best. I truly believe that education professionals will benefit immensely from this resource! Thank you, Mari, for your contribution to education.”

— Kristin Souers, Author of Fostering Resilient Learners: Strategies for Creating a Trauma-Sensitive Classroom

Mari Dean is an elementary school teacher in Northern Virginia. She has a passion for teaching social-emotional skills to children and helping schools reimagine systems where all kids experience agency, joy, and a deep sense of belonging.

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