Teachers, Knowledge, Building Relationships: Invitation and Hospitality
Each teacher has different ways of incorporating community into the classroom. The two main ways I noticed were how they created groups, and learning environment options. I found when teachers were creating groups they tried to break up friend groups and make groups of new students, giving ways for people to meet and feel less intimidated by each other. I believe this method was very effective in creating a sense of community in our classrooms. The other method teachers used was trying to accommodate different learning environments. For example, my grade three teacher had three different spots around her classroom; one behind her desk, one at a table at the back of the classroom, and one at the front with a cardboard wall around it. I found many kids, including myself took advantage of these and found them very effective in making us feel comfortable around the classroom. When we felt comfortable around the classroom, we felt comfortable with our classmates.
Many teachers were good at creating relationships with different students. Understanding how different people communicate, and personality types played a huge role. Some kids were energetic and very open about their lives, wants and needs, and emotions. While others were quiet and closed off. The teachers had to understand that some students asking them straight up about things was not effective and could make a student feel intimidated or uninvited and had to find a resolution by having more small talk; while others you could ask them a question and they would answer with no hesitation because that is how they felt invited into the classroom. I noticed through my development of school each teacher was able to adapt how they talked to students to make the student feel comfortable; which created an invitational environment. When the invitational environment was created between a student and the teacher the students were able to feel safer with other students in the environment.
Students & Learning Environment: Focus on places, spaces, and boundaries
Many of my learning environments growing up were rows of desks with the teacher’s desk at the back. In elementary many desk patterns were made up to make it fun for us students and the older we got the fewer desk arrangements there were and the more straight lines there were. I don’t believe the rows of desks were the most effective way to engage with all the students. You were either looking at people’s backs or at the front staring at the front wall. Often if you tried to turn to talk to other classmates the teachers would get upset and tell you to turn around making it feel uninviting. I do believe that the structure of the classroom and especially desks can be challenging to find a “perfect” layout to create an inviting environment.
Not only is the desk arrangement important, but how the classroom looks plays a crucial part. Having blank walls made the environment feel non-motivational and heartless. Having a messy classroom or too busy classroom; including the walls made it feel disorganized and overwhelming. Finding a balance can be challenging, but can overall be effective with students’ motivation and the positive impact on the environment. Bright colours, pictures, and usual information I believe have a big impact and create a welcoming environment for students.
Truth & Reconciliation
From kindergarten through grade 12 I found many of the units for learning about Indigenous history were very focused on how they were sent to residential schools and Europeans invaded the land. As I grow up and have had personal conversations or see information on social media I begin to learn more information about the Indigenous peoples. Such as the current environment they live in, the rebuilding the culture is going through, and the love they carry for all people. I believe I still have tons of learning to do about the Indigenous peoples. I personally feel that the educational system almost instils fear; after learning what our history has done present-day society fears anger or revenge. After meeting people from the Indigenous community I’ve learned that fear is not needed. One thing I have taken from my personal learning is the Indigenous community holds love and care for all people no matter who they are, and is willing to help anyone. A call to action as a future teacher can hold a huge impact on future society. Having the opportunity to teach students there is more than the past terrors can hold a great impact in allowing Indigenous peoples to feel welcome and loved.