2nd teff Conference: Recap

A Sense of Belonging – Inclusion and Well-Being in Classrooms across Europe

From May 8 to 9, 2025, teff welcomed over 150 participants from across Europe to the vibrant city of Brussels for its second annual conference. Under the theme “A Sense of Belonging – Inclusion and Well-Being in Classrooms across Europe,” the event brought together teachers, teacher educators, students, and researchers for two days of exchange, learning, and inspiration.

A warm welcome

The conference opened with warm and insightful remarks by Beatrix Busse (University of Cologne), Iris Peeters, and Oliver Holz (both KU Leuven). Beatrix Busse, in her role as Chief Development Officer of teff, emphasized the importance of well-being and collaboration in European higher education. Iris Peeters welcomed participants on behalf of the KU Leuven School of Education, underlining the value of international dialogue in teacher education. Local coordinator Oliver Holz then set the stage for two days of exchange, reflection, and community-building.

Stories from the Classroom

The first day of the conference focused on experiences from those at the heart of education. Voices from schools, families, and communities shared how belonging and well-being are created—or challenged—in real-life classroom settings.

Kim Bogaerts, Director of Education at the Flemish Confederation of Parent Associations, opened the day with a powerful reflection on the role of parents in fostering inclusive school cultures. We then heard from students Lisa Mensah and Imane El Khoumri from KOGEKA school in Geel and St. Guido School in Brussels, who shared candid insights into how young people experience a sense of belonging in daily school life. Teacher Juan Alvarez from Germany and teacher educator Chrischar Rock from South Africa offered moving accounts of how educators are navigating diversity, belonging, and well-being in their own contexts.

These stories laid the foundation for interactive workshops where participants came together to explore how schools and teacher education can respond to the challenges of today’s classrooms.

A Musical Highlight

A special moment came with the musical performance “Lights Will Find You – A Medley of Hope and Connection” by students from KOGEKA (Geel, Belgium). Their performance was a celebration of unity and empathy—reminding us all of the emotional power that art and music hold in creating inclusive communities.

Panel Discussion – European Voices on Inclusion

The afternoon continued with a lively and thought-provoking panel discussion moderated by Fiona Shelton. Voices from Belgium (Loes Rosier & Raf D’Hasese), Germany (Benjamin Becker), Turkey (Bahar Gün), and South Africa (Crischar Rock) came together to discuss how schools across Europe are creating a sense of belonging, and where more work still needs to be done. Their honest reflections and diverse perspectives encouraged everyone in the room to reflect on their own role in fostering inclusive learning spaces.

Practical Workshops – From Vision to Practice

Participants then chose from four  parallel workshops designed to deepen the day’s themes:

• Building Inclusive School Cultures, led by Kris Buyse and Eva González-Melón (KU Leuven)
• Supporting Mental Health in Schools, led by Lore Maegerman and Christophe Kino (Centra Geestelijke Gezondheidszorg, Gent)
• Teaching with Belonging in Mind, led by Karen van der Eng (Utrecht University)
• Teacher well-being: finding your teacher identity (by playing the Pedagogical priorities game), led by Anna Bosch (Utrecht University)

Each workshop combined theory with hands-on strategies, giving attendees tools they could bring back to their institutions.

A taste of Brussels

In the evening of day one, teff members enjoyed a walking dinner tour through the heart of Brussels, combining local culinary highlights with lively conversations. The informal setting offered a perfect opportunity to deepen connections and reflect on the day’s inspiring discussions.

In the heart of Europe

At the beginning of day two, Prof. Dr. Kris Grimonprez delivered a compelling keynote on the importance of fostering a sense of belonging grounded in shared European Union values. Delivered in center of Brussels, her talk resonated deeply within the context of the city's role as the headquarters of major EU institutions. This setting underscored the relevance of her message, highlighting the importance of unity and shared values in both educational settings and broader European integration.

Research in Action

The second day shifted the spotlight to research: A series of presentations highlighted current studies exploring how inclusion and well-being are being supported in classrooms across Europe. Topics included the impact of collaborative learning, the use of digital tools for social-emotional support, and policy approaches to equity and inclusion:

• Wilfried Admiraal, OsloMet: Novice Teachers’ Profiles of Their Level of Preparedness: What Do They Mean for Future Teacher Induction? & A colourful range of offerings on education for sustainable development in teacher education in Europe
• Tamirirofa Chirikure, University of Botswana: Fostering Inclusive, Healthy STEM Classroom Cultures in a Global South Context
• Cato De Baets, KU Leuven: Evaluation of a Dutch-speaking/Flemish MOOC on digital competences
• Xinlan Zhang (& Iina Hyyppä), University of Helsinki: Exploring European Pre-Service Teachers’ Futures Consciousness: A Qualitative and Quantitative Approach
• Peter Teirlinck, KU Leuven: Thriving, not just surviving: co-creating International Students’ Pathways to Success
• Rosalien van der Meer, Applied University Saxion: Study coaching in ‘home groups’: a model to enhance both social connectedness and personal professional development of student teachers
• Hennie Kesak (& Goran Basic), Linneaus University Växjö: Interculturalism, ethnicity, and multilingualism in upper secondary school: an analysis of social pedagogical identities during pedagogical work with students newly arrived in Sweden.
• Dina Tsagari, OsloMet: Building Better BIPs: Participant Voices and Lessons Learnt

Inspired by these presentations, researchers and practitioners engaged in rich discussions throughout the day, exchanging ideas on how to translate evidence into everyday classroom practice.

Moving Forward

The 2nd teff Conference left participants feeling energized and hopeful. It was a powerful reminder that building inclusive, supportive, and joyful classrooms is a shared responsibility—one that benefits from both research and real-world experience.

We extend our warmest thanks to KU Leuven for hosting this year’s event, and to everyone who contributed their time, knowledge, and passion. We are already looking forward to what lies ahead for teff —and for a true sense of belonging in classrooms across Europe!