TRANSFORM CLASSROOMS WITH THE DEAR REEL MODEL
Grounded in both academic research and best practices from real-world educator insight, the DEAR REEL model offers four key lenses for supporting neurodivergent and twice-exceptional (2e) learners.
LENS | WHAT IT MEANS | WHY IT MATTERS | |
|---|---|---|---|
Develop Connection | Intentionally create a culture of belonging where students feel valued and understood | Builds psychological safety, trust, and motivation for academic and social growth | |
Embrace Flexibility | Offer diverse, strength-aligned ways to engage and succeed | Empowers every learner to access content and demonstrate mastery, reinforcing equity | |
Attend to Strengths | Prioritize learners’ interests and talents in lessons and throughout the school day | Boosts confidence, self-efficacy, and resilience by leveraging what students do best | |
Reframe Behaviors | Interpret behaviors as communication of underlying needs | Shifts focus from managing symptoms to building understanding, autonomy, and support |
Transform Classrooms with Purposeful Inclusion - 3 Reasons to Embrace DEAR REEL
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Evidence + Experience: Anchored in academic research and field-tested by educators
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Grade-Specific Tools: Includes actionable strategies tailored for elementary, middle, and high school classrooms.
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Rich, Practical Content: Covering definitions, stories, resources, and tools like checklists, interest profiles, and classroom vignettes.
DEVELOP CONNECTION
Build Trust, Spark Belonging
Every learner thrives when they feel seen, valued, and safe. Developing authentic connections creates a foundation for learning, motivation, and resilience. With DEAR REEL strategies, teachers foster classrooms where students belong and are inspired to engage.
REEL RESOURCES FOR DEVELOPING CONNECTION
EMBRACE FLEXIBILITY
Open Pathways to Success
Learning isn’t one-size-fits-all. By offering flexible ways to access content and show mastery, educators give students multiple entry points to succeed. In addition, understanding and integrating strategies for different ways in which students learn - quiet zones, soft lighting, movement, manipulatives, and more - drives engagement for all learners.
REEL RESOURCES FOR EMBRACING FLEXIBILITY
ATTEND TO STRENGTHS
Fuel Growth Through Strengths
When educators lead with what students do best, they unlock confidence and self-efficacy. Attending to strengths turns interests and talents into engines of growth, helping students build resilience and motivation for challenges ahead.
REEL RESOURCES FOR ATTENDING TO STRENGTHS
REFRAME BEHAVIORS
See the Student, Not the Struggle
Behaviors are messages, not problems to be managed. Reframing behavior means asking what’s driving a student’s actions and responding with curiosity and support. This shift builds understanding, autonomy, and stronger teacher–student relationships.
REEL RESOURCES FOR REFRAMING BEHAVIORS
Learn more about the DEAR REEL Model by getting the Guidebook now. This guidebook puts research, real-world teaching and classroom strategies into your hands. Inside you’ll find:
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an overview and definitions;
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personal stories and examples;
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supporting articles, books, blog posts, podcasts and videos;
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additional online resources;
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detailed lists of practical suggestions by grade level for elementary,
middle, and high school.
With the DEAR REEL model, educators have a clear, compassionate framework to support neurodivergent and twice-exceptional learners—backed by practical tools, resources, and strategies. Transform your classroom today.
Bring DEAR REEL To Your School
Grounded in the DEAR REEL framework, we also offer professional development workshops for educators that provide practical, strengths-based strategies for supporting neurodivergent and twice-exceptional (2e) learners. These sessions equip educators with actionable tools to foster engagement, resilience, and inclusive classrooms where every student can thrive.
To learn more, or bring these workshops to your school, email us at hello@reel2e.org