- Education holds the possibility to generate change of social issues that have been present in our society throughout history such as racial inequities, gender disparities, socioeconomic status, power, and political differences. As a teacher, I am responsible for distributing local, national, and global occurrences to children while molding social beliefs and values. By allowing a student-centered curriculum in a democratic, community classroom, students become the facilitators of change for the community. Making speeches, writing memos, facilitating and participating in group discussions, articulating an argument through the lens of the idea, organizing community events, and mobilizing fellow community members are numerous forms of skill required for effective participation in civic democracies. Though rare in traditional classrooms, children that develop both a "spirit of service" and the civic skills needed are better equipped for effective civic action in the local community. .
The environment of education should encourage creativity and decision making, include sensitivity to others and the skills for taking social action. I believe learning experiences should be seen as group experiences that take place by means of interaction among others. By focusing on the collective mindset of the group instead of the individual, members of my classroom will work together to create an exciting learning environment grounded in their own truths. I want to foster an atmosphere in my classroom and school that emphasizes decision-making processes, student-centered learning, and community principles. Because democratic decision-making is complicated and requires unpacking differences of opinion for discussion, students must participate in an atmosphere that allows negotiation in place of dictating majority rule, conflict resolution in regards to problem-solving, and multiculturalism viewpoints to include the equity all members of the classroom [ CITATION Aye98 l 1033 ].
