When understanding the relationship between my identity as a teacher and the school-democracy link, I need to keep in mind the relationship between schools and society. In fact, society affects how students are taught and what is taught in schools. …show more content…
It requires conversations about common issues and thoughtful ideas on how to benefit the community (Barber, 1989). Additionally, listening is a key aspect in strong democracy. Taking into account another’s view by trying to understand where they are coming from helps to narrow the differences. Silence allows for empathy and reflection to expand which produces well rounded engaged citizens (Barber, 1989).
Furthermore, democracy within an educational setting is for the students and by the students. According to Parker (2010), “…a society aspiring to political community of this kind needs an education system that inducts young people into a civic culture of speaking and listening to people they might not know or like” (p. 2817). Therefore, schools help students to realize the importance of listening and speaking in order to become well informed and alert citizens. Democracy in schools consists of students from different backgrounds working together to overcome obstacles, be it socially or …show more content…
By having students’ best interests at heart, teachers can guide them to accomplish even the smallest goal. I will be a teacher that includes, appreciates, and accepts all students and will let them know through my actions that they are valued. Creating meaningful relationships with students and between students can help to establish a positive environment for both teaching and learning. According to Burden (2016), “an optimal teacher-student relationship consists of equal parts dominance and cooperation” (p. 218) Being assertive and persistent in a positive way helps students to understand what is expected from them and showing an interest in what the students have to say fosters a feeling of acceptance. As teachers, it is our responsibility to maintain positive relationships by demonstrating respect, manners and consideration so that students know what is expected, how to behave and how to treat