Community-building and Communal Intelligence Now
For Umoja Instructors,
The time to act is now. Clarify priorities, create a schedule, find accountability, develop discipline — and get to work.
Do you remember the first blog post of this series? It encouraged immediate action. Recently, a sense of urgency has emerged through multiple indicators conveying the inevitability of change. Leaders have transitioned, families have been disrupted, and our community has experienced loss.
Every moment in life is precious. Think intentionally and deliberately about how you build community and maximize collective learning opportunities.
Community-Building & Communal Intelligence
“Community is absolutely fundamental to an Umoja learning experience for the students, the faculty, and the staff.” Creating intentional community-building activities enhances culturally relevant teaching and learning.
At the start of the semester, plan meaningful engagement within your lecture schedule. Don’t wait until midterms to activate student interaction. Craft lesson plans and group activities that align directly with final assessments.
If your assessment is a paper, pair students to outline together. Facilitate guided reading discussions. Design interactive exercises aligned with your learning objectives.
Press forward at all times, climbing toward that higher ground of the harmonious society that shapes the laws of man to the laws of God.
— Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.Avoid sitting still when movement is possible. Use kinesthetic learning — touching, moving, doing — to strengthen connection in classrooms and village spaces.
Contemplate and prepare your lesson plans. But once the course begins, put the pen down, whisper Namaste, Amen, or Ase, and build relationships among your students.
The conditions we have today are not guaranteed tomorrow. We honored Dr. King’s collaborative courage. When will you begin contributing to his legacy? Begin after this post.
Follow and connect with us via LinkedIn and Instagram. The Foundation is launching the Umoja Global Institute, a professional learning resource designed to enhance teaching and learning across our network.
In solidarity with your success,
Dr. V
Author
Dr. Vernon Lindsay
