I had never paid much attention to the different ways of knowing and being that my teachers may or may not have demonstrated in my high school classes. Reflecting on that time, I am starting to notice some of the different ways of teaching my teachers had incorporated. Some teachers would alternate in the ways they taught lessons. One day there would be a PowerPoint presentation, the next a movie, or a guest speaker would be brought in who would have their own unique ways of knowing and being and would be able to provide the class with a new perspective. Multiple different teachers would set aside days or times where we could have round table discussions or mock debates to give the students a chance to interact with each other and the course material rather than just sit and listen to the teacher talk.

Teachers always encouraged students to talk to each other and get to know others to whom they might not usually talk to. One of the most common ways I had teachers do this was to create randomized seating plans. In a certain classroom, the teacher had the desks and tables arranged in a way where a student would never be sitting by themselves in a straight row, but rather with at least one other person beside you or at a cluster of desks to create a group. These group desks would allow for students to converse and open opportunities to have group projects or assignments. All these things helped to create a sense of community.

Teachers can build hospitable and welcoming environments in many ways. Teachers can reach out to their students and make an effort to form relationships with each student. When these relationships are formed, it makes the student feel more comfortable in the environment, knowing they can trust and talk to the teacher. Teachers can ask questions that will help to figure out what ways the students in the class find they learn best and incorporate those ways into their teaching plans. When students have input towards how they are taught, it makes the students more inclined to pay attention and it even makes the learning process easier.