Growing Good People

Abstract

As far back as 1913, when John Dewey wrote his treatise entitled “Interest and Effort in Music Education” educators were concerned about how best to “make school life vital to youth.” And more than anecdotal evidence suggests that today’s classrooms are in similar trouble. Children do not arrive ready to be taught. Teachers are at a loss as to how to best reach their students. This article explores the classroom management challenges teachers face, and provides a philosophical foundation on which to build a community of learners. The author maintains that a classroom must first be a predictable, intentionally created environment where students sense they are part of a community of learners and where they are safe to take the necessary personal risks to learn.