Includes bibliographical references and index.

Welcomes and farewells: building community even in transition -- Students and poverty: building on resources and breaking down barriers -- All families count: including families in all their forms -- We will get through this together: supporting students through grief and loss -- When students are in danger: supporting students in the trauma-informed classroom -- Value-driven classrooms: a school culture that develops character -- You got this!: building a classroom culture of self-efficacy -- "I can't wait to learn more": classrooms where student engagement thrives.

One day, third-grade teacher Kyle Schwartz asked her students to fill the blank in this sentence: "I wish my teacher knew _____." The results astounded her. Some answers were humorous, others were heartbreaking, but all were profoundly moving and enlightening. The results opened her eyes to the need for educators to understand the unique realities their students face in order to create an open, safe and supportive place in the classroom.