Dr. Julie Hasson, assistant professor in the Department of Leadership and Educational Studies, has authored her first book, Safe, Seen, and Stretched in the Classroom: The Remarkable Ways Teachers Shape Students' Lives. The book was released on November 30, 2021, by Routledge.
Hasson spent a year interviewing people about teachers who’ve shaped their lives, trying to understand what teachers say and do to make an impact. She shares stories that are both inspirational, highlighting the ways a teacher’s actions can influence students' lives, and also informational, providing models to help teachers make a more consistent impact on the students they serve.
Chapters cover topics such as commitment, vulnerability, power, connection, expectations, community, identity, and equity while underscoring the importance of making students feel safe, seen, and stretched. She also offers practical takeaways and applications for educators of all levels of experience.
According to Hasson, this book is geared toward educators of all levels of experience. “Educators intuitively understand the importance of building strong relationships with students, but they may not have the skills and strategies needed.”
“Strong student-teacher relationships lead to improved academic, social, and emotional outcomes for students and greater satisfaction for teachers,” she continued. “This book provides models and strategies for building deeper relationships and positive classroom cultures.”
After several of her favorite teachers retired, Hasson was inspired to better understand their impact. During her qualitative study, she collected over 300 stories and found an emerging theme. “Over and over again, the people I interviewed described feeling safe, seen, and stretched in the classrooms of their most impactful teachers.”
“I am excited to share this book with teachers,” said Hasson. “I hope it gives them the inspiration and information they need to stay longer and be stronger for their students.”
Hasson joined the Reich College of Education faculty in 2020. Her research interests include building relationships and trust in organizations. “As a qualitative researcher, I am also interested in evidence of teacher impact beyond test scores.”
Safe Seen and Stretched in the Classroom book cover
