Mix One Part Teacher to One Part Student...Stir

1. Community

Let's start these kids off right. I refer to both the community in which the children and their teacher (I think it's super important as a teacher to live in the community in which we teach) live, but also that more empirical sense of community. Let them learn that they are part of a larger community in which they are important members and thinkers. And also let them feel that they are part of something special in their class and school-wide community. After watching War Dance, the idea of how much those children needed to feel a part of something, be it the choir or the tribe or Ugandans, really struck home with me. We all need to feel that we are a part of something larger than just us, so that we may learn...

2. Empathy

Empathy should be the cornerstone of being a human being. Model for the students. Model it for the parents. Model it for anyone who visits your classroom, or anyone you meet on the street. Before jumping to an assumption about others, think about how they see the world. What is the same and what is different? Let that stoke a...

3. Sense of Wonder

This whole big blue marble on which we live is one mystery after another. Mysteries begged to be solved or understood, and let the students discover this for themselves. Don't ever give away the answers. Find those answers with your students, find them with your colleagues, find them with everyone around you. But remember that wonder is not just science-based. When you are empathetic, you are wondering how someone else feels about something or sees something. Use a sense of wonder in all facets of your teaching and learning.

Now for less "concept-y" ingredients...

4. A Democratic Process

When I say a democratic process, I mean that a classroom should have student-input on anything from rules to how the desks are set up. Let children have a voice, of course, but also teach through your classroom democracy that those students will one day be a fully-fledged member of a democracy and what that entails. If a student feels as though he or she has some say in how things "are," they will be empowered and confident about their own thoughts and their own voice. This will (hopefully) stay with them when they grow up to join the ranks of voters, but not the scared, meek kind of voters, but voters and citizens that will contribute to their Democracy and make it stronger.

5. The Arts

And finally, the arts are not only fun with paper and paste, but the arts are how we as humans express ourselves. The Arts are a great way to reach many children, as the arts are as varied as the multiple intelligences or the different theorists. I have yet to meet a child that doesn't get excited about at least one of the arts. Not only that, but the arts encompass so much of human history and knowledge. In fact, I think of the arts as a gateway (drug, in some cases) to the less glamorous subjects like math or history. Additionally, I also feel that art (from posters of the greats to student work to music to even the design and set-up of the room itself) around the classroom is paramount to a creative and healthy environment.


I believe that children need a voice and a sense of self.

I believe that teachers should have patience and tenacity.

I believe that schools should receive better funding no matter the tax bracket of the students' parents and more autonomy.