Below you will find my philosophy about cultural diversity in the field of education. I know that teaching and respecting diversity is very important, especially in the state of Arizona. I hope that you will enjoy reading my paper that expresses how I will make sure to create a diverse classroom.
Same Sky, Different Horizons
"We all live under the same sky, but we all don't have the same horizon." This quotation, stated by Konrad Adenauer, explains the concept of cultural diversity. Each of us has a unique perspective of life because we have different ethnicities and backgrounds that make us who we are. Even though we all exist in the same society, we all hold unique views, customs, and ideas, causing there to be differences in our workplaces, homes, and schools. I know that it is important, as a future educator, to realize that all my students cannot fit into a single model depicting what a child should look or act like. Although it is not a guarantee that my school will celebrate differences, I can make sure cultural diversity is present in my future classroom, by making myself more aware of the varying cultures in our society, by including different perspectives within my classroom curriculum and environment, and by allowing my students to share information in class about their individual heritage.
It is important that I understand and become more aware of the different cultures that exist in our community. I can accomplish this by immersing myself into other cultures besides my own, allowing me to step out of my comfort zone into new situations. I have already begun this, as I have found a great web link with a multicultural calendar that details how to celebrate holidays from around the world. This is only one item that assists me in becoming more aware of the values, faiths, and traditions that are not present in the majority of society. This allows me to develop new perspectives and insights of the world, letting me adopt new beliefs for my classroom setting. I also believe that if I examine culturally diverse issues, it will better prepare me to avoid assumptions and stereotyping, opening my mind to correct behaviors to have towards my students. I can do this by continuing to stay involved in group discussions, reading books and current articles, attending conferences, and listening to lectures. I know that doing all of this will help me become more aware of how I can improve my classroom atmosphere. Once I have gained a stronger awareness of other cultures, I need to share my knowledge with my students.
Including different perspectives within my classroom curriculum and environment is essential for creating a culturally diverse classroom. I want my students to begin understanding other cultures while they are still young, and I can do this by including diversity as I teach. When I present information, I need to be careful of the vocabulary and amount of time used upon each group, gender, race, etc. I do not want to offend anyone, or place more focus upon one group over another. I will also make sure that the literature my students read include a variety of views. I want my students to see that color and gender should not restrict anyone from accomplishing what their heart desires. When I teach varying subjects, I will make sure to give additional material not always found in the standard textbook. For instance, as I teach about history, my focus will not always be upon Anglo-Europeans, but other groups as well, allowing my students to hear multiple perspectives. Besides just the curriculum, the physical atmosphere of my classroom setting is important as well. Around my classroom, there will be pictures and posters representing various cultures and traditions. My students will complete art projects and poetry, illustrating diverse views, to be displayed around the classroom. These artifacts will be constant reminders that everyone is different and that my students need to respect everyone’s diverse characteristics. This respect will allow my students to be open minded as they share information to one another about their own heritage.
I will allow my students to contribute to lessons and activities as they explain their cultures to the class. Since every student of mine is unique, I will present them with various opportunities to share their heritage. Doing activities, such as family trees, interviewing relatives, or searching the meaning of one’s name, can all provide insight into each child’s background. I believe that students should share information about their traditions, holidays, and family values. These can be communicated through educational means, so there is still focus on teaching the standards, but the individual takes an active role in placing themselves into each assignment. For example, instead of telling the students to write a short story, I will have them write a narrative about their own life, touching upon personal experiences and culture. I know the importance of teaching the required material, but I believe that it can be done while still allowing students to give information about their individual heritage.
Although we all live in this world together, each of us has a different background that shapes who we are and how we act. As Milton Erickson once said, “Each person's map of the world is as unique as the person's thumbprint. There are no two people alike. No two people who understand the same sentence the same way.” My students will have unique goals, strengths, values, and opinions because of their diverse cultures, affecting how they interact with one another and myself. I will do my best to incorporate diversity into my classroom by making myself more aware of varying cultures in society, by including different perspectives within my classroom curriculum and environment, and by allowing my students to contribute information about their individual heritage. The diversity that exists in our society should be celebrated, not ignored. We all have a different view of life because of our unique cultures, but as Anne Frank mentioned, “We all live with the objective of being happy; our lives are all different and yet the same.”
*Graphics
Students with Globe graphic from Print Shop Premier Edition 5.0
Thumbprint graphic from the website: http://www.pnl.gov/breakthroughs/summer98/glance.html
All other graphics from Big Box of Art CD
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