Creating a Civic Culture
By Peter W. Cookson, Jr.

One of the greatest gifts you can share with your students is to help them understand the democratic process by creating a civic culture in your classroom. A civic culture is a public space where ideas are shared, differences of opinion are honored and where all citizens are committed to creating a consensus. Classroom democracy is built on the concept of inclusion and giving voice to each and every student.

In the last ten years, there's been increasing emphasis on standards and accountability in the classroom. This movement has had the positive effect of making transparent the achievement gap between privileged and less privileged children. One of the primary purposes of public education, however, is the creation of informed citizens who understand our form of government and how democracy works. How can you, as a first year teacher, help your students learn democratic habits of mind?

• It's critically important that your classroom management strategy be based on the principles of inclusion and voice. Authoritarian solutions to misbehavior only magnify misbehavior in the long run. Use proven techniques of group discussion, student government, a fair classroom judicial system, and cooperative learning. These techniques teach students the value of dialogue, the importance of listening and that the toleration of differing opinions is to be celebrated, not suppressed.
• Make sure that your reading list includes material that discusses democracy in an active and positive manner. According to the popular media, conflict is best resolved through power and violence. I fear that this authoritarian view will become "common sense" in the minds of students if we, as educators, do not actively challenge this perspective. When we allow bullying in our classroom or on the playground, we send a dangerous message. The message is that power, rather than cooperation, is the organizational principle of society. My guess is that there are students in your classroom right now who feel silenced and bullied. Place yourself in the role of those students and make a special effort to make them feel protected and honored. You can model peaceful forms of conflict resolution for your students which will be initialized as they grow into adult citizens.
• It's important that you, as a first year teacher, stand up for democratic values within your school and your community. As you know, as a first year teacher, you have your hands full between learning the ropes of your profession and discovering your own teaching voice. You may not realize it, but you are also a leader in your school. While formal leadership resides with the principal and senior teachers, informal leadership can be exercised by anyone with goodwill and energy. Be tolerant of opinions of other teachers and administrators, insist on clear ethical language in private and public discussion and never allow cynicism to infect your words and deeds. Teachers embody social values whether they have been teaching for two months or thirty years. Let your actions and your words be consistent and you will have taken a huge step in helping to create a school where democratic values are alive and well.

Teachers are the weavers of the social fabric. Teacher by teacher, students and families either become more pro-social or learn to withdraw from society. Take each student as a thread to be woven into the social fabric and treat him or her delicately as you weave your small corner of the social tapestry which is democracy.

Peter W. Cookson, Jr. is the founder of TCinnovations and the Dean of the Graduate School of Education of Lewis & Clark College. He is also founder of the Center for Educational Outreach & Innovation at Teachers College.

February, 2005, Vol.35, No.5