Critical Community Building: Beyond Belonging

Bettez, Silvia Cristina. Critical Community Building: Beyond Belonging. Educational Foundations 25(3), 3-19.

Originally a speech given by Bettez, this article focuses on how schools and organizations can better engage the surrounding community. Bettez states that in order to build healthy and open community connections, organizations first must actively listen to the needs of that community. Although it may seem like a simple order, Bettez breaks down the complexity and difficulty of active listening to the needs and wants of a larger community.  From eye contact to disciplined reflection, Bettez outlines a set of necessary listening skills that will create early dialogue for schools and their neighboring communities. With that start, schools can work alongside community organizations and leaders to better build critical communities open to and active in their own growth.