Weekly Circles: Building Community to Foster Academic Achievement

TL;DR

Circle practice is a structured and mindful approach used at Valor Middle School in Nashville, Tennessee to foster a safe and trusting community where both students and adults engage in open communication, emotional awareness, and relationship building, leading to academic success.

Transcript

(children talking) - Victor, I love your ability to admit that you wanna do better at times, and then how committed you are to doing that. Circles are a time for the community to come together and develop themselves as individuals, develop their relationships, and really address community work. And we actually believe that by doing that, kids will ... Read More

Key Insights

• 🥺 Circle practice at Valor Middle School promotes a sense of safety and trust within the community, leading to academic success.
• 👻 The structured format of circle practice allows for exploration and learning in a different way than traditional classroom experiences.
• 🌄 Emotional check-ins humanize individuals and foster empathy and understanding within the community.
• 💦 Relationship work, such as addressing conflicts and reflecting on values, strengthens community bonds and problem-solving skills.
• 🫷 Circle practice encourages students to push themselves, be more self-aware, and cultivate kindness towards others.
• ❤️‍🩹 Appreciations at the end of circle practice reinforce positive impacts on each other and create a mini family-like environment.
• 🤳 Circle practice involves both students and adults, with teachers modeling the importance of the practice and engaging in self-reflection.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is circle practice at Valor Middle School?

Circle practice at Valor Middle School is a structured and mindful approach where students and adults come together in smaller groups led by their mentor teachers to engage in open communication, emotional awareness, and relationship building.

Q: Why is emotional check-in a crucial part of circle practice?

Emotional check-ins allow students to express their feelings, which humanizes everyone involved and fosters empathy and understanding within the community. It helps create a safe space where individuals can be seen as people with emotions.

Q: What kind of work can be discussed during circle practice?

Circle practice provides opportunities for students to bring in relationship work. This includes addressing conflicts, reflecting on personal values, sharing life stories, and taking responsibility for actions that have impacted the community.

Q: How does circle practice benefit students and teachers at Valor Middle School?

Circle practice helps students become more self-aware, thoughtful, and kinder towards others with different perspectives. For teachers, it creates a space for them to appreciate positive impacts, build relationships, and become better educators through understanding their students' experiences.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Valor Middle School in Nashville, Tennessee emphasizes the importance of relationships and community through their circle practice.

• The circle model is implemented weekly for an hour and involves single-gender groups led by mentor teachers.

• The practice includes mindfulness-based exercises, emotional check-ins, and opportunities for students to bring in relationship work, such as peer interactions and personal reflections.