Starting out as a teacher is tough, and feeling like you truly belong can make all the difference. Lead researcher and PhD candidate Ebony Melzak shares practical, research-informed strategies that schools can tailor to support early career teachers. Such approaches help them feel like valued members of the team and support their success.
Feeling like you truly belong at work isn’t just “nice to have”, it's a core human need. Belonging means feeling accepted, valued, and part of the team. When we feel a sense of connection, we're more likely to enjoy work, speak up, take risks, and stick around through the tough days.
In schools, belonging helps teachers feel seen, supported, and motivated. But for early career teachers, that sense of belonging can be hard to find. They’re trying to get their heads around the curriculum, manage behaviour, learn school systems, and somehow still have time to build relationships and find their place in the staffroom. It’s no surprise that the first few years of teaching are often the most stressful. Too many new teachers end up feeling isolated or unsure if they really “fit in,” and sadly, many leave the profession altogether within just a few years.
Creating a strong sense of belonging can help early career teachers thrive, stay, and grow in the profession.
Eight practical ways to create a sense of belonging in early career teachers
Belonging isn’t created through one-off programs or posters on the wall. It’s built through consistent, everyday actions. It lives in relationships, routines, and how we include and support new staff.
Fostering belonging isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. Every school has its own culture, and every teacher has their own needs. The key is to tailor these strategies to fit your context. By creating a space where teachers feel valued and connected, we help build a school community where everyone belongs.
Why it matters
Belonging matters. And for early career teachers, it can shape whether they stay, grow, or burn out. While there’s no single solution, small, consistent actions tailored to your school’s context can have a big impact. By investing in relationships, collaboration, and a welcoming culture, we create schools where new teachers feel supported, seen, and part of something bigger. And that benefits everyone.
Resources
Melzak, E., Allen, K. A., Jain, R., & Pruyn, M. (2025). A scoping review of factors contributing to a sense of belonging in early career teachers. Educational Research Review, 78, Article 100700.
