Discussion Thread: Building Community/ Cultural Diversity
With the start of the pandemic (Coronavirus), community importance has never been more
important with school closures and lockdowns. Despite what the future school year brings, whether
learning online or in person, we can work on strengthening our school community. A commitment is
required to changing how we view and work together. Schools and parents should work together to
benefit everyone. To accomplish building a community it first starts with a clear vision for the future.
School administrators and educators must provide for the needs of the students and their families as
they work on building the school community. A school community expands outside of the school and
into the actual community. Cooley, (2006) mentioned without connections with the community proper
building blocks all can be lost.
Connecting with educators and students, we can build a successful school culture. There are
internal groups needed in building a successful community. The needed internal groups include its
stakeholders (parents, administrators, educators, board members and other groups that contribute to
the development of the school community). The community is the biggest stakeholder within the
educational system (Businessmirror, 2018).
“I don’t think one parent can raise a child. I don’t think two parents can raise a child. You really
need the whole village” (Dubner, 2011). This quote explains how it will take not just teachers,
administration or parents to raise and educate a child, it will take the whole community internal and
external. External organizations and groups like parent teacher organizations, advocacy groups on behalf
of parents, community leaders and a diverse group of church leaders can all have a positive impact and
contribute to building the community and culture. Including a diverse group of individuals, they are
more likely to remain objective.
There are possible differences or issues that may arise when multiple groups come together for a
common goal. One reason for performance differences between diverse community groups may be due
to intergroup interactions can be harder to navigate successfully compared to same group interactions.
Understanding the different cultures within your community and their cultural norms is important. Every
part of the school community from the administration and stakeholders on down must be proactive in
listening, welcome and except people and ideas that’s different then their own. This creates patience
and creates a warm, welcoming and, sharing academic community.
To foster a positive community judgement and to improve the school community I would hold
community workshops, teach diversity to all stakeholders and encourage diversity throughout the
student body. I would utilize input from staff, families, students, and others as an assessment to get a
better understanding of the school climate. Students need good judgement to successfully navigate
through their educational and emotional lives. Judgement is crucial in considering their choices and
consequences of their actions.
Culture is what form and shape us, it helps to define our identity and influence behaviors.
Diverse groups can influence the learning outcomes of the people they come in contact with both
directly and indirectly. The experiences working with these diverse groups improve cognitive skills and
student performance, and can improve behavior and self-confidence. As people share about their
different views, experiences, and backgrounds, they are directly exposing others to new and sometimes
dissenting information, which can facilitate active learning on the part of the listeners. 1 Corinthians
14:26- What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a
tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.
References
Businessmirror, (2018). Teachers need to build strong relationships with school stakeholders.
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2018/07/19/teachers-need-to-build-strong-relationships-with-school-
stakeholders/
Cooley, K. S. (2006). The Helmsman: Leading with Courage and Wisdom. Purposeful Design.
https://www.educationworld.com/a_admin/focus/building_school_climate.shtml
Dubner, S.J. (2011). It takes a village. https://freakonomics.com/2011/06/it-takes-a-village/
Smith, S. (2022). Diversity. https://www.openbible.info/topics/diversity
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