Diversity in the Classroom

The challenges in American public schools can be vast due to the demographic design of America itself. Many of the challenges can be faced and remedied easily while others are deeply ingrained in our system. Unlike other countries, our system of education is compulsory for all minors allowing no provision for tracking of students into careers. In other words, since education in America is compulsory, we take all comers.

Our public school system is based on the premise that all students can learn at high levels and they need to be college and career ready upon graduation from high school. With the design of our system comes the challenges of fitting the needs of every student. Understanding the dynamics of our system is imperative to define the essential challenges we face with diversity. 

In the classroom, teachers need to develop best practices to address diversity. By being aware of the cultures present and the diverse needs of all the students, the teacher will be better suited to serve their needs. When the teacher can embrace the diversity, the students will develop a better understanding of cultures. Teachers that are culturally responsive, share five characteristics: 1) They develop a culturally diverse base, 2) They design lessons that are relevant, 3) They demonstrate a caring attitude toward cultural diversity, 4) they develop cross-cultural communication techniques, and 5) They utilize culturally respectful instruction. The need for teachers to design lessons that embrace diversity is greater than ever. Teachers that not only embrace diversity in the classroom, but work to incorporate them positively into their curriculum are more successful.

Diversity in the classroom is not only indicated by race. Diversity can involve class, gender, and sexual orientation as well. With each of these forms of difference, students come to the classroom with hosts of experiences, world views, cultural contexts, and sets of experiences.

Additionally, students not only have diverse needs, come from diverse backgrounds, but they have diverse ways of learning. Some learn through visual means, other by auditory, and some through kinesthetic touch. These differences increase the challenges in developing lessons. Teachers need to develop ways to adapt the curricular content to and delivery to meet the needs of the students’ individual and cultural differences.

Educators all have the responsibility to provide a quality education for all students. Part of that is preparing teachers with proper professional development that increases self-awareness; cultivates an understanding of diversity; increases cultural competency; prepares teachers to work with diverse parents as well as students. Multicultural education is more than just an ethnic issue. It is vitally important for everyone to understand it is a universal issue that should be shared by all. 

Until next time...