How New Dawn Creates a Supportive Learning Environment

A supportive learning environment is one that prioritizes the academic, social, and emotional learning needs of every individual who walks through the classroom doors. In this article, we'll look at the different aspects of what makes a supportive learning environment, and how New Dawn Charter Schools effectively implement them to ensure student success.

What makes a supportive learning environment?

New Dawn is committed to providing its high school students with an encouraging learning environment, as most of our students need extra support unavailable in traditional public schools. Let's look at all the different aspects of a supportive learning environment.

Interpersonal support

The concept of "interpersonal" support in an academic context places the emphasis on relationships between teachers, parents, and students. When students experience interpersonal support at school, they're provided with:

Emotional safety. Learners feel safe to express their thoughts and make mistakes without fear of ridicule or negative consequences. When students feel emotionally safe in their learning environment, they're more likely to ask questions and engage with the material.

Encouragement and positive reinforcement. This can be described as “any positive event after a specific behavior to encourage that behavior to happen again.” Research on teaching methods and learning outcomes point to the notion that this is the most effective approach. One study found that when teachers used positive reinforcement in the classroom, the students focused on tasks up to 30% more. 

Positive reinforcement in the classroom can take the form of praise or attention from the teacher, access to privileges, or tangible rewards. Positive feedback and encouragement isn't just about behavior management, it's also how you build student confidence and motivation.

Let's look at an example of positive reinforcement works practically:

Kayla has struggled with time management and it's affecting her academic performance. She turned in her last three assignments late. After her weekly discussion with her mentor, they decide to make a goal: All assignments turned in on-time for two weeks. If she achieves her goal, the art teacher has agreed to provide all new paintbrushes for the art room. Art is a subject Kayla enjoys and is really passionate about, so she works hard to achieve her goal — and she does.

Clear expectations. Clear guidelines and expectations within an instructional design can help learners understand what is required of them. This extends beyond just academics and into behavioral and social expectations. The more communicative and direct you are, the easier it will be to address later on if expectations are unmet.

Constructive feedback. Regular, specific, and actionable feedback helps learners improve and understand their progress. NDCHS's mentorship program provides a unique opportunity in this respect. With regular meetings between students and a designated staff member, students are provided with a clear roadmap that outlines what's expected of them in order to graduate. They're able to receive timely feedback that can be immediately implemented.

An example of constructive feedback: "I noticed you're not always finishing your exams in the allotted time. What do you think is your greatest barrier to finishing on-time? Would you like to work on some test-taking strategies after class?"

An example of non-constructive feedback: "You're really bad at time management. You only seem to get half of your exams finished."

Inclusivity. A learning environment that respects and values diversity makes sure that all learners feel included and supported. New Dawn has students who come from a variety of backgrounds, whether academically or personally. Students who are English language learners or have special education needs are integrated with the general student population with a full-immersion model of inclusive education.

The right atmosphere

As a mentor at NDCHS, Janisha Crawley, helps to set up an atmosphere for success. "I've observed my students develop resilience and a more positive perspective on overcoming their academic and personal challenges. As their mentor, I support them through difficult situations and help them view setbacks and failures as opportunities for growth through our conversations." 

It's all about setting the scene with an:

• Empathetic and supportive staff. Educators who are approachable, understanding, and responsive to students’ needs can significantly impact the learning experience. Empathy is the backbone of a healthy school culture, and that's what we work to implement at NDCHS.
• Safe physical environment. A well-maintained and safe physical space allows learners to focus on their studies without distraction or discomfort. New Dawn employs its "Project SAVE plan," a District-wide School Safety Plan that details established safeguards and procedures for maintaining both staff and student security.
• Collaborative atmosphere. When students engage with each other in collaborative learning, they're exposed to new perspectives, strategies, and ideas. Maintenance of positive working relationships with peers isn't just a concept that benefits them in the short-term. They'll be able to carry those skills with them after graduation, whether in higher education or the workforce!
• Classroom management. While many students may feel an aversion to structure and discipline, they're both critical for creating a school environment that promotes learning. With smaller class sizes and more focused, individualized attention, students aren't as prone to acting out and distracting others. With less effort needed toward managing poor behavior, our teachers are better able to focus on what's important: learning.

Instructional design

The curriculum and pedagogy can make all the difference in learning outcomes. Great instructional design has:

• Access to engaging and relevant content. Materials and activities should be engaging and relevant to student interests and goals. Adequate learning resources, such as books, educational technology, digital learning tools, and software help learners to access the materials they need. Engaging courses and curriculum don't have to be strictly "academic," either. In past semesters at New Dawn, we've offered access to cooking courses. Not only was the class popular, it also was a building relevant, real-world skills that our students could take with them after graduation.
• Flexibility. Adaptable approaches to teaching and assessment help accommodate different learning styles and needs. Teachers at New Dawn are particularly in-tune with the need for a healthy balance between structure and flexibility.
• Opportunities for growth. Providing opportunities for learners to set and achieve personal goals helps them take ownership of their learning. This is where our internship program really shines as students are able to grow outside of the school's four walls. They're able to get real-world experience and build professional relationships with colleagues who share their vocational interests.

New Dawn Provides a Supportive Learning Environment for All Students

At NDCHS, our focus is providing a supportive learning environment for over-aged, under-credited students who have previously attended at least one other high school. With a student-centered approach to our culture, curriculum, and pedagogy, our staff works hard to make sure each student walks out of our doors with a high school diploma. Want to find out more? Check out our admissions and enrollment page.