Tori- RFE 3

I am in a 5th grade class at my partnership school, Aversboro Elementary. I think my teacher, Mrs. Sposato has a created a great classroom community in her classroom. In the mornings, I see the children come up to her desk and ask her questions because they feel comfortable talking to her and they trust her. They don’t just ask school related questions, they also ask personal questions about their home life or advice with friends and family. Also, there is a list of rules on the wall that Mrs. Sposato and her class created together. This way the students were able to participate in making the rules that they have to follow and were able to give their input. Mrs. Sposato’s class changes classes with two other 5th grade classes for different subjects. Because of this, Mrs. Sposato’s class, Mr. Berwanger’s class, and Mr. Mauro’s class all have their own little community. The teachers know all the students and the students feel comfortable with all three teachers. At the end of the day, they also have an hour block where students go to one of the three teachers classroom whose subject they need extra help in. So the students have other students in their classroom that aren’t normally there. They are very welcoming to other students and the other students always feel comfortable in another classroom. I have seen a great sense of community between the classmates. They are always willing to help their peers around them who are struggling with their work. The students respect their teachers and classmates and they receive respect in return. The classroom is an environment where everyone feels safe and trusting and this builds their classroom community.
Aversboro also has a good sense of school community. I am only at Aversboro once per week, but everytime I am there the principal comes into one of the classrooms I am in to observe the teacher. I think this is a great practice because the students become more familiar and comfortable with the principal and the teachers do as well. By making himself available to students and teachers, the principal is creating great school community. Also, every morning the school has announcements that provide the school with reminders of upcoming events, the lunch menu, and the Pledge of Allegiance. By having this morning ritual and doing the Pledge of Allegiance together I think that shows school community. All of the teachers are very polite and respectful to one another and I think this shows a lot about their school and their strong sense of community as well.