Difficult Conversations

Ideas

Idea #8: Cultivating a Community of Care & Curiosity

“Difficult conversations like these aren’t possible without first creating a community of care and mutual respect in the classroom.”1

Learning Intention

The levels of productivity and meaning found in difficult conversations relies heavily on the community in which they happen. Educators should cultivate a community of care and curiosity in order for students to feel more comfortable with and connected to one another prior to engaging in challenging conversations.

Strategies1

  1. Set the tone for a community of care and mutual respect.

  2. Ask students how they manage stress and self-care.

  3. Allow students to ask and respond to anonymous questions.

  4. Model how you research answers to their questions.

  5. Show humility and a willingness to listen and learn; encourage student feedback.

  6. Allow time for students to connect with each other.

  7. Create reading groups using texts selected by students.

  8. Promote leaning in to challenging material and acknowledging resistance.2

  9. Discuss tough concepts with a personal and honest perspective.

Benefits1

  • Increased vulnerability and kindness in the learning space.

  • Increased engagement with the material and other learners.

  • Increase in “respectful challenging” of one another and “status quo” ideas.

  • Allows for a deeper connection between all parties involved.

References

  1. Darby, K. (2022). Building Communities of Critical, Interdisciplinary Thinkers. Innovative Teaching Showcase. Published online by CIIA, Western Washington University.
  2. DiAngelo, R. & Sensoy, Ö. (2014). “Leaning in: A student’s guide to engaging constructively with social justice content”.