Gainful employment, independence, creativity, responsible citizenry, academic inquiry and intrigue, socialization, confidence, personal growth, opportunity and unthinkable possibility; these are all purposes of education.  Though each individual and his/her circumstances determine which purposes are realized and which are not, each child has the potential for greatness.  The questions therein lie. How are these purposes of education fulfilled and this greatness achieved?  How does the classroom and school environment strive to meet each child's needs and stimulate creativity and learning?  In my professional opinion, this is achieved by stressing the importance of community in a community of learners. 

In establishing a community, needs of the individuals must be met.  According to William Glasser every individual has five basic needs, the need for: 1) safety and security, 2) love and belonging, 3) fun, 4) freedom, and 5) power.   Within the school and classroom, students need to feel safe and secure not just physically but also in expression of thought and feeling.  Giving students a voice allows them to feel free and powerful in the classroom.  Security should also extend past permitting students to speak their minds, to accepting mistakes and being thankful they occurred allowing for a teaching moment.  Students also need to feel that they belong and are loved, through greetings each day at the door, unsolicited statements of praise, and modeling that each student is a valued member of the community. 

However, community goes beyond the school and teacher meeting the needs of the students.  Although there is one designated teacher in the classroom, each member of the community obtains certain skills and specific knowledge, making each person in the classroom a potential teacher.  An established classroom community has each member of the class assisting one another, helping all to meet their needs.  This motivation, assistance, encouragement and praise should be given and received with equal respect.  It is in establishing this element of a community that provides the most for the students in both their sense of belonging and their learning academically and interpersonally.