Communities of Ownership

The theories of Supreme Excellence and Democratic Learning and Environmental Development have a common theme. The common theme is the need for strong relationships between the teacher and student. A symbiotic relationship is required to assure mutual understanding and commitment. Suzuki (1991) gives us a clarifying definition, a symbiotic relationship can be referred to as a lifeboat situation. People must profit from entering a relationship as well as contribute to the welfare of the other party.

With the ability of the teacher to use a strong sense of identity and integrity, mutual relationships are a distinct possibility. In essence the student is inviting the teacher and educational professional to join them in a discovery of the self, the other and the relationship to the other. The components of self, the other, and relationship to other, make up the foundation of social interdependence (Twine, 1994). The students are requesting that we see the natural interconnections and interrelationships between themselves and others.