Diversity in the Classroom

In my field placement I find myself constantly observing how the diversity of students and the diversity of communities factor into the education of your students. I have come to realize that various teachers take many different steps in trying to understand their classrooms diversity and in turn each of their students. I think the article entitled, "Seeing Color, Seeing Culture" discusses this manner when they state, "Given the significance of race and color in American society, it is impossible to believe that a classroom teacher does not notice the race and ethnicity of the children she is teaching" (33). I have found this to be true in my own field placement, where my CT not only notices diversity of her students but celebrates it in various ways. For example, she did an ongoing project called "Flat Stanley" where each student made a picture of themselves and mailed it to another state or country to a friend or family member. One student sent it to his aunt who lives in India, another to her grandmother in Greece. Not only did each of these students get to share a presentation about this experience but they were recognized and applauded for their ethnic diversities. I found this to be directly in alignment of how a teacher learned more about the culture and diveristy in her classroom. It allowed her to get to know her students and their backgrounds better in a positive, educational manners. Each student completed this project and therefore she was able to see some commonalities and differences within her classroom culture, allowing her to see her students multiple perspectives on their lives. This is a project I would definately want to incorporate at any age level for my students. I think it was a wonderful way to begin understanding the diversity that the students in your classroom bring each year.

In addition, I think it is important to consider the positive responses to realities of urban teaching in class last week. I know it was easy for me to identify the negativities in communities that are coined urban but I think as a teacher it is important to take it this next step, in seeing what can be done to improve negativity that often surrounds these areas. I think that through these positive steps, as a teacher I can get to know more about the diversity of my students and help them be proud of the diversity each of them bring. It is important to the way I teach, to understand how my diverse set of students learn. The article referenced above also states, "By not claiming to notice, the teacher is saying that she is dismissing one of the most salient features of the child's identity and that she does not account for it in her curricular planning and instruction" (33). I think this is why understanding my students from multiple perspectives is essential for good teaching. I want to take the diversity of my students and use their diversity as the foundation for my planning and instruction. I want to take whatever my students bring to the table and create positive experiences and educational memories from their multiple perspectives. If I can accomplish this, not only will I have good relations with my students and the community in which I teach in, but I will also provide an education that will stick with them long after they leave my classroom.