In one of my classes at Miami we have been discussing the notion of schools acting as a community or an organization. As a result of this, I have included my response to the issue below. Enjoy!
When considering whether a school and classroom should act as more of a community or an organization, one must look at the mission of the specific school. In some cases, where the school district contains affluent families with high achieving students that just want someone to facilitate their transition to a top tier university, an organization may be the best scenario. On the flip side, if a school is located in a poverty-stricken neighborhood with students who are just trying to survive, let alone go to Harvard, a community would work much better.
In both cases, aspects of both an organization and a community will be present; the extent to which each shines through and permeates is what forms the overall culture. In my opinion, the community perspective has the ability to achieve success in any environment while a school that acts as an organization has a narrow range of schools that it can work in.
When a school acts as a community and, by extension, a big family, a sense of comfort and accountability begins to become the norm and students, teachers, and administrators alike will be able to perform at their peak. When someone, especially students, realize they are in a good place, they have the ability to achieve to the best of their ability and see their dreams come to fruition. When a school works as an organization, it seems as if some students get left behind and there is a “cold” aspect to the school. True, there may be a community in terms of school spirit at basketball games, although it is not something that infiltrates into the day-to-day aspects. This is very reminiscent of Miami, especially when you consider the competition that exists in certain sectors of the university. I would love to see the day when each and every school has a sense of community that ties the students, parents, teachers, administrators, bus drivers, etc. together. Do I truly think that will happen? No, although it is my duty as a teacher leader to strive for that, at least on a scale I can impact.
When considering whether a school and classroom should act as more of a community or an organization, one must look at the mission of the specific school. In some cases, where the school district contains affluent families with high achieving students that just want someone to facilitate their transition to a top tier university, an organization may be the best scenario. On the flip side, if a school is located in a poverty-stricken neighborhood with students who are just trying to survive, let alone go to Harvard, a community would work much better.
In both cases, aspects of both an organization and a community will be present; the extent to which each shines through and permeates is what forms the overall culture. In my opinion, the community perspective has the ability to achieve success in any environment while a school that acts as an organization has a narrow range of schools that it can work in.
When a school acts as a community and, by extension, a big family, a sense of comfort and accountability begins to become the norm and students, teachers, and administrators alike will be able to perform at their peak. When someone, especially students, realize they are in a good place, they have the ability to achieve to the best of their ability and see their dreams come to fruition. When a school works as an organization, it seems as if some students get left behind and there is a “cold” aspect to the school. True, there may be a community in terms of school spirit at basketball games, although it is not something that infiltrates into the day-to-day aspects. This is very reminiscent of Miami, especially when you consider the competition that exists in certain sectors of the university. I would love to see the day when each and every school has a sense of community that ties the students, parents, teachers, administrators, bus drivers, etc. together. Do I truly think that will happen? No, although it is my duty as a teacher leader to strive for that, at least on a scale I can impact.