It may not be magic, but it's powerful
It used to be that our graduating seniors were given the opportunity at the commencement ceremony, in conjunction with the reading of their names as they received diplomas, to offer 10 additional words. They could use them for parting words, celebrations, expressions of gratitude for parents, friends, and others who stood by them along their way. Right around that time, I changed classrooms, from 1 to 235. And as we made 235 our home, it seemed to take on a life of its own.
Some students in one graduating class opted to use at least some of their 10 words to give a shout out to 235. Somehow, I wasn't sure how, 235 came to stand for more than just a room number. One of the assistant principals at the time, on seeing so many references to 235 on seniors’ graduation cards asked, “What is this 235? Some sort of gang affiliation?”
No, not a gang.
But an affiliation - yes.
Etymologically that word comes from roots that mean to adopt a son. In a gender-neutral context, that implies becoming part of a family. Students often make reference to their 235 Family. In fact, we have a sign that says FAMILY, a gift to 235 from a student, right in eyeline as you walk into the room.
It’s impossible to overstate the positive power a real sense of community can have in a learning environment. You know when you are a part of one. You know you are in a place where you will be challenged, and where you are safe to take the risks you have to take to meet that challenge. But how does it come about? I have kicked that question around for years. The first answer I settled on was “Magic.” And I was ok with that. But as the question kept coming up, I had to revisit and revise my answer. “235 probably sits on an energy vortex that keeps a positive vibe going.” I was ok with that too. But it’s hard to transfer that.
So this time, as I puzzled out an answer to the question of how you create a community in your classroom, I really tried to think of what it is that contributes to a sense of community taking root. I've landed on one thing that underlies it all.
Unconditionality.
You and your students will walk into your classroom, each of you bringing a load of baggage, and you’ll pick up more as the year goes on. School baggage based on your past experiences with teachers and schooling. Personal baggage based on your relationships with classmates, other siblings, reputations and your own life. And new baggage, of both kinds, you will pick up along the way. As impossible as it sometimes may seem, the most important thing you as a teacher can do to begin creating a sense of community is leave your baggage at the door and extend to each student, each day a sense of unconditionality.
Sometimes they might annoy you. Sometimes they will push you to your limits. Sometimes they won’t work as hard as you know they can. Sometimes they will test you to see how much and how little they can get away with. But you are their teacher every day. If you write them off, if you put conditions on your willingness to teach them, they will know and they will respond as we all do when we find ourselves in that kind of relation to someone.
If you meet them, all of them - without favorite or scapegoat - where they are, every day. If you accept them, wholeheartedly. If you go all in, without condition, every time you walk in that room. If you remember that they are human, as you are. And young, as you may or may not be. If you forgive them annoying and pushing and testing and failing. They will, sooner or later, reciprocate.
It is sometimes difficult, but if you can manage it every day, that unconditionality becomes a safety net of incredible strength. It makes it safe to be who you are. It makes it safe to accept others as they are. It makes it safe to ask questions, to say what’s on your mind, to consider the ideas of others, to fail and try again. That’s where learning happens.
Some students in one graduating class opted to use at least some of their 10 words to give a shout out to 235. Somehow, I wasn't sure how, 235 came to stand for more than just a room number. One of the assistant principals at the time, on seeing so many references to 235 on seniors’ graduation cards asked, “What is this 235? Some sort of gang affiliation?”
No, not a gang.
But an affiliation - yes.
Etymologically that word comes from roots that mean to adopt a son. In a gender-neutral context, that implies becoming part of a family. Students often make reference to their 235 Family. In fact, we have a sign that says FAMILY, a gift to 235 from a student, right in eyeline as you walk into the room.
It’s impossible to overstate the positive power a real sense of community can have in a learning environment. You know when you are a part of one. You know you are in a place where you will be challenged, and where you are safe to take the risks you have to take to meet that challenge. But how does it come about? I have kicked that question around for years. The first answer I settled on was “Magic.” And I was ok with that. But as the question kept coming up, I had to revisit and revise my answer. “235 probably sits on an energy vortex that keeps a positive vibe going.” I was ok with that too. But it’s hard to transfer that.
So this time, as I puzzled out an answer to the question of how you create a community in your classroom, I really tried to think of what it is that contributes to a sense of community taking root. I've landed on one thing that underlies it all.
Unconditionality.
You and your students will walk into your classroom, each of you bringing a load of baggage, and you’ll pick up more as the year goes on. School baggage based on your past experiences with teachers and schooling. Personal baggage based on your relationships with classmates, other siblings, reputations and your own life. And new baggage, of both kinds, you will pick up along the way. As impossible as it sometimes may seem, the most important thing you as a teacher can do to begin creating a sense of community is leave your baggage at the door and extend to each student, each day a sense of unconditionality.
Sometimes they might annoy you. Sometimes they will push you to your limits. Sometimes they won’t work as hard as you know they can. Sometimes they will test you to see how much and how little they can get away with. But you are their teacher every day. If you write them off, if you put conditions on your willingness to teach them, they will know and they will respond as we all do when we find ourselves in that kind of relation to someone.
If you meet them, all of them - without favorite or scapegoat - where they are, every day. If you accept them, wholeheartedly. If you go all in, without condition, every time you walk in that room. If you remember that they are human, as you are. And young, as you may or may not be. If you forgive them annoying and pushing and testing and failing. They will, sooner or later, reciprocate.
It is sometimes difficult, but if you can manage it every day, that unconditionality becomes a safety net of incredible strength. It makes it safe to be who you are. It makes it safe to accept others as they are. It makes it safe to ask questions, to say what’s on your mind, to consider the ideas of others, to fail and try again. That’s where learning happens.
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