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“An identity safe classroom is one where students from diverse identities and backgrounds feel welcome, valued, respected, and as though they are recognized as having the potential to succeed (Steele et al., 2002; Steele, 1997)…Working to create identity safe classrooms is particularly important for students that come from backgrounds that are negatively stereotyped in society or who are numerically underrepresented in college settings. Experiencing identity threat as a result of being negatively stereotyped (i.e., women aren’t good at math), underestimated based on group identity (i.e., you speak so eloquently; or, this score is better than I expected), or being subjected to a hostile racial climate, has been found to undermine academic retention and achievement and lower social belonging for students who, absent an oppressive culture, will thrive (Gonzalez et al., 2002; Murphy, Steele, & Gross, 2007; Johnson et al., 2007; Logel et al., 2009; Chang et al., 2014). Identity safe classroom environments that communicate that all students are valued, respected, and capable of success enhance student learning and bolster engagement (Umbach & Wawrzynski, 2005; Walton et al., 2015; Murphy & Destin, 2016).”

This resource provides concreate steps to create an identity safe classroom.