A classroom, whether physical or virtual, is nothing without the people who inhabit it.  The relationships between individual students and the relationship students have with their teacher define the quality of learning that occurs inside the the classroom.  In order to build a classroom community, I have engaged students in daily activities that strengthen their bond and understanding of one another.  It is important that students and teachers alike take part in these exercises in order to build mutual trust and respect for one another.  Additionally, I take every chance to showcase student talent and achievement, and allow students the space to celebrate each other and develop lasting friendships, even in a virtual space.  

Ensuring that all students from all circumstances are given equitable opportunities to share, achieve, and learn is imperative in every learning community.  The only way to make this possible is by prioritizing student comfort in the classroom community.  My students know that they are welcome and accepted in my classroom, and that it is okay to be vulnerable and take risks, even when that means getting a wrong answer.  By making sure that all students are comfortable sharing in my class, I can guarantee that our community is one that every student can access.

More information about norms, values, equity, and access in my classroom learning community is available in the subsection “Description and Characteristics.”