Title page for ETD etd-32398-191055

Type of Document

Dissertation

Author

Murrill, Leslie D. III

Author's Email Address

murrill@roanoke.edu

URN

etd-32398-191055

Title

Evolution Toward Democratic Community: A Teacher's Journey

Degree

PhD

Department

Teaching and Learning

Advisory Committee

Advisor Name	Title
Garrison, James W.
Nespor, Jan K.
Niles, Jerome A.
Stahl, John D.
Lalik, Rosary V.	Committee Chair

Keywords

moral intelligence
community
democratic educational practice
Critical pedagogy
student-centered learning
inquiry

Date of Defense

1998-04-06

Availability

unrestricted

Abstract

This qualitative study followed the classroom practices of a second grade teacher

across the course of a school year. Data collection methods used included interviews,

fieldnotes, observations, various site artifacts and photographs. Informants were the

classroom teacher, thirteen second grade students, the building principal, and several

colleagues, family members and friends identified by the teacher.

The study used literature in the fields of critical pedagogy and democratic

educational practice to interpret the teacher's work. Analysis suggested that the second

grade class group evolved toward a sense of democratic community as the teacher: 1)

provided the foundations of relationship, high expectations and belief in her students; 2)

created classroom structures that supported the growth of moral intelligence amongst

class members; and 3) extended opportunities for students to regularly contribute to and

actively participate in class experiences.

Findings suggest that a sense of democratic community can not be quickly or

easily realized. As this teacher sought to foster its development through building

foundations, creating support structures and extending opportunities to her students, she

experienced unpredictability, risk and struggle. Significantly, however, she perceived her

daily struggles as opportunities to reflectively reconsider her teaching practices. As she

continually assessed and refined her practices, she and her students grew as a mutually

supportive community.

Files

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