Belonging Through Play: Equity and Student Agency

This interactive workshop, led by Education for Sharing (E4S), invites participants to experience how play can be a powerful driver of equity, student agency, and belonging. Using E4S’s Play–Reflect–Act methodology, educators will engage in hands-on games and challenges that model social-emotional learning practices while fostering deeper learning. Through playful collaboration and guided reflection, participants will explore ways to design classrooms where all students feel seen, valued, and empowered to shape their learning journeys and exercise their voices. The session balances interactive activities, small-group dialogue, and whole-group discussion, ensuring participants experience and practice strategies they can immediately apply. Participants will leave with practical, adaptable tools to create joyful, student-centered spaces that nurture curiosity, build community, and promote equitable outcomes.