Class Community Building – Yes, it’s Important!

By. Craig Perrier

Fostering community in a classroom, whether virtual or in-person, takes time and intentionality by teachers.  It seems that this aspect of education is not fully appreciated or paid attention to across the field. The good news, however, is that as individuals and districts realize how important and integral a community is to a successful learning experience for students, focus to on this practice has increased around strategies and resources teachers can use.

Likewise, there are enough teachers out there who have internalized the creation of class community as part of the profession.  This has yielded a variety of models teachers can turn to and shared characteristics educators can look to during the community building process.  Community focused classes look different, but there are common traits that stand out in my experience.  Some of these aspects include:

• A place where students want to come – clean, welcoming, comfortable.
• An adult students can trust, demonstrates care, and is willing to listen and talk.
• Students have a voice regarding class norms, practices, and their learning.
• There is a sense of safety and support.
• Accountability and rigor is an expressed part of the learning.
• Time is devoted to students getting to know each other.
• Celebrating accomplishments and successes are part of the experience.

Creating a community that embodies these traits doesn’t happen spontaneously.  Rather,  building this environment takes vision, effort, and resources.  Furthermore, teachers will do better at community building when they are in a good place.  Educators Marketplace can lend a hand with such disposition building.  For example, incentives promoted by Headspace, GelPro, Gaiam, and Ellisi Gifts can help set the tone and temperament to engage students with a positive community mindset.  Have fun exploring and making a community that makes a difference!