Connecting in Isolation

Utilizing Community Circles to Build Relationships in Online Learning

Authors

  • Danna Lomax Ventura Unified School District, California State University Channel Islands, Educators Doing Justice
  • Shannon Lopez Ventura Unified School District, Educators Doing Justice
  • Brittnee Veldman California State University Channel Islands, Educators Doing Justice
  • Monica Pereira California State University Channel Islands, Educators Doing Justice

Abstract

Many educators are currently teaching online due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. In distance learning, it can be a challenge for studnets and educators to create community. Community circles is a versatile practice that can be utilized to build relationships in both face-to-face and online environments. This paper offers a brief introduction to the practice of circles, discusses the preparation necessary to implement circles, and outlines the procedures for utilizing circles to foster classroom community.

Author Biographies

Danna Lomax, Ventura Unified School District, California State University Channel Islands, Educators Doing Justice

Danna Lomax is a teacher on special assignment for Ventura Unified School District, a lecturer at CSUCI, and a member of Educators Doing Justice (EDJ).

Shannon Lopez, Ventura Unified School District, Educators Doing Justice

Shannon Lopez teaches English at Anacapa Middle School in Ventura Unified School District and a member of Educators Doing Justice (EDJ).

Brittnee Veldman, California State University Channel Islands, Educators Doing Justice

Brittnee Veldman teaches chemistry at CSU Channel Islands and a member of Educators Doing Justice (EDJ).

Monica Pereira, California State University Channel Islands, Educators Doing Justice

Monica Pereira is a librarian at CSU Channel Islands and a member of Educators Doing Justice (EDJ).

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Published

2020-12-16

How to Cite

Lomax, D., Lopez, S., Veldman, B., & Pereira, M. (2020). Connecting in Isolation: Utilizing Community Circles to Build Relationships in Online Learning. Allies for Education, 3(1). Retrieved from https://journals.calstate.edu/afe/article/view/3300

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 1 (2020): Being Anti-Racist, Teaching Anti-Racism: Building Connections, Coalitions, and Curricula for Human Beings

Section

Perspectives from the Field

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