Teaching: Tending the community

 

We work hard in the first week of classes to establish a sense of community. Why is this important? Building a positive working relationship with students and fostering connections among them equips us to handle unforeseen challenges – technology doesn’t work, illnesses, or disruptive news events. A robust community atmosphere offers the necessary grace and support to navigate these turbulent periods more effectively.

But just like a well-planted garden, communities need to be tended. Here are “Six Check-in Ideas to Build Community in College Classrooms” from Faculty Focus that can help your community thrive. But no matter how green your thumb is, there will be weeds and bugs to tend to. For these situations, the Chronicle article “Students Crossing Boundaries: Rudness, Disruptions, Unrealistic Demands. Where to Draw the Line” provides guidance on managing such issues.