Teach, Learn, Lead: Building Community For All Victoria A. Oglan Ph.D.

“Education is not only a process of student learning and progress, it is also one of continual growth of teacher expertise and classroom and system improvement.” Fullan (1999)

Take a moment and jot down your definition of community.

Good teachers have long understood the value of creating a supportive, caring community for learners.

When a classroom functions as a community, children can feel safe and accepted and make positive connections with others.

The opportunity to participate as a contributing member of a community helps children to become successful learners, problem solvers, and decision makers.

Community-building is a viable and essential goal for educators at all levels. Our society needs to foster the growth of individuals who are skilled in personal and interpersonal relationships, who learn to function as part of an increasingly complex world community.

A community shares a culture. Culture = shared values, beliefs and actions.

School Models As Edward Fiske (1992) states, “public schools are nineteenth-century institutions because they were organized around an industrial model that prevailed at the turn of the century” (p. 25).

The Factory Model Teacher is authority Classroom is teacher-centered Focus on worksheets Uniformity Competition Sequenced curriculum -> learning is linear Focus on product not process Emphasis on skills in isolation Learner / learning passive

The Factory Model  Memorization is a learning strategy Collaboration not encouraged Silence is encouraged Basal readers Packaged curriculum programs Testing is the primary assessment tool Skill and drill is a learning strategy Part -> whole

The Community Model Teacher is collaborator Classroom is learning centered Focus on authentic engagements in reading and writing Strategy instruction Embracing diversity Collaboration not competition Curriculum is planned based on needs of learners Focus on process and product

The Community Model Emphasis on strategies and skills in context Learner / learning active Student voice is key Student choice is key Packaged curriculum not necessary Assessment and evaluation are diverse and purposeful Whole -> part -> whole

Jot down the things you do in your classroom to build community…

Jot down the things your administration does to build community in your school…

Build community with middle school students by providing them with opportunities for responsible actions.

Community Helpers: In order for a community to run efficiently, there are jobs that must be filled by its members. Think about your strengths and select the job that best suits you. At the end of the job, number your preferences from 1 – 5, with 1 being your top choice. I am _______________________, and I would like to be the:

Community Helpers 1. Office Assistant: takes notes and picks up items from the office. 2. Courier: takes messages or items to other teachers 3. Guide: greets guests and gives a tour of our community

Community Helpers 4. Supplies Managers (2): maintains and inventories the publishing supplies [Partner - ___________________________] 5. Time Keeper: signals the end of Workshop 6. Literacy Board Manager: posts items on the board 7. Web Site Editors (2): post writings to the IMS website [Partner – ______________________

Community Helpers 8. Community Newsletter (2): compile and create the bimonthly newsletter [Partner - _________________________] 9. Computer Assistants (2): assist classmates and teacher in publishing via computer [Partner - _____________________] 10. Chairs Manager: supervises the use of the folding chairs

Community Helpers 10. Chairs Manager: supervises the use of the folding chairs 11. Substitute Teacher Helpers (2): conduct the class activities in my absence [Partner - __________________________] 12. Attendance Monitor: checks and records daily attendance on the computer and class log

Community Helpers 13. Make-Up Work Tutor: meets with absent students upon their return to go over activities 14. Librarian: maintains records of books checked out from the Community Library

~ A community is like a ship; everyone ought to be prepared to take the helm. ~ ~ Henrik IbsenHenrik Ibsen