The Power of Belonging in Education
Dr. Gloria McDaniel-Hall, an educator with over four decades of experience, shares a deeply personal story that highlights the critical importance of belonging in education. Her journey begins with a traumatic experience at the age of five, when she was forced to confront the harsh reality of racial segregation in Galveston, Texas, in 1961. As a young Black girl, she walked into her new school with excitement and hope, only to be met with hostility and exclusion. This moment marked the beginning of her silence, a coping mechanism that lasted for years.
The impact of this early experience was profound. Dr. McDaniel-Hall recalls how the words of those strangers echoed in her mind, leaving her feeling invisible and unworthy. It wasn’t until she moved to Chicago and encountered a kind nun named Sister Christella that she began to heal. Sister Christella’s compassion and belief in her helped Dr. McDaniel-Hall regain her voice and eventually become a teacher herself.
Over the years, Dr. McDaniel-Hall has dedicated her career to ensuring that no child feels the way she did during her childhood. She emphasizes that belonging is not just a luxury—it is essential for survival. Her work focuses on creating safe, inclusive environments where students can thrive. She believes that when children feel seen, heard, and valued, they are more likely to succeed academically and emotionally.
The Threat to Federal School Funding
Today, Dr. McDaniel-Hall is concerned about the potential dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education and the loss of federal funding that supports schools across the country. According to recent research by the Albert Shanker Institute, eliminating federal aid could result in students losing up to 46 days of learning each year. These losses would disproportionately affect vulnerable students who rely on programs such as Title I reading specialists, mental health professionals, and free meals.
For many students, these services are lifelines. They provide essential support for those navigating trauma, poverty, or systemic barriers. Without federal funding, children may lose more than just textbooks and tutoring—they may lose connection, understanding, and a sense of safety. The consequences could be devastating, leading some children to believe they do not belong in their own schools.
Dr. McDaniel-Hall explains that cutting funding could deepen cycles of exclusion and disconnection. It could send a message to another generation of children that they are not welcome or valued. This is a message she knows all too well from her own experiences.
The Importance of Equity and Connection
Dr. McDaniel-Hall’s work is grounded in the neuroscience of learning and the power of culturally responsive teaching. She emphasizes that when students feel safe and supported, they are more likely to engage and succeed. This connection is crucial for fostering a sense of belonging and achievement.
The data supports this approach. Studies show that when teachers have the tools to support every learner, outcomes improve. Schools are not isolated entities; they are the beating hearts of their communities. Cutting funding could have far-reaching effects, impacting not just students but the entire village that supports them.
Dr. McDaniel-Hall calls for increased investment in education, highlighting that what makes schools succeed is not just curriculum or test scores, but connection. It is the deep knowledge that someone believes in you. If we lose that, we lose everything.
A Call to Action
As an educator and advocate, Dr. McDaniel-Hall offers her analysis not just as a professional, but as the little girl who once stood silent on a Texas sidewalk, wondering why she was hated by strangers. She urges us to choose differently, to ensure that no child ever feels the way she did.
She believes that by funding belonging, we fund futures. It is time to invest in our children’s ability to learn, grow, and thrive. Let’s not send the message that any child does not belong. Let’s create a world where every student feels seen, heard, and valued.