Reflecting on the Past: Four Valuable Lessons Learned from Community Organizing Which Have Benefited My Students and Myself Throughout the Years

As a former community organizer with the Industrial Areas Foundation, my experience has greatly influenced my teaching in the classroom. Here are some valuable organizing adages that I have found useful when working with students:

1) “Sometimes the only worse thing than losing a fight is winning one.”

This adage reminds me to carefully choose which battles to engage in as a teacher. Winning a fight may not always be beneficial if it drains the energy of the organization or classroom. It is crucial to prioritize rules and routines that contribute to effective learning.

2) “If you’re going to polarize, always de-polarize, as soon as you can” AND “There are no permanent allies or enemies – only changing self-interests.”

In organizing, it is important to maintain relationships with opponents even after a political fight. Similarly, as a teacher, I strive to de-escalate tensions with students and avoid embarrassing them. Building and repairing relationships is essential for a positive classroom environment.

3) “All organizing is reorganizing” AND “We live in the world as it is, not as we would like it to be.”

These adages emphasize the need to acknowledge and work with the existing systems and people before making changes. In teaching, this means being realistic about what can be achieved and constantly evaluating classroom strategies to avoid stagnation.

4) “Never do for others what they can do for themselves. Never”

This principle highlights the importance of fostering leadership and decision-making skills in both organizing and teaching. By empowering students to take charge of their own learning, I can create a more engaging and effective classroom environment.

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Overall, these organizing adages have shaped my approach to teaching and helped me prioritize student empowerment and relationship-building in the classroom.