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Importance of cultural diversity in education
Role of multicultural education in promoting diversity education
Debates on multicultural education
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For as long as I can remember, working with children is the only thing I have ever wanted to do. I am passionate about teaching students to celebrate their differences and be proud of all the wonderful attributes they were born with. I want to create a classroom where students see others for who they are, instead of what they’re not. My goal is for students to develop empathy and compassion for other people and cultures. Therefore, it is my job as a teacher to acknowledge and eliminate my own biases and prejudices, fully examine my schools policies and practices to ensure that all aspects foster a climate, free of judgement, where all students are able to reach their full potential. Throughout this course, I learned just how important it is for schools, staff, and communities to work together to create multicultural classrooms that support all students regardless of race, culture or sexual orientation. Above all, we all need to remember that “One does not fit all!” If there is one thing this course really opened my eyes to the fact that even though we as a society has changed dramatically in term of equality and discrimination, we still have a long way to go. On a daily basis, we hear stories about people being harassed, tormented and …show more content…
Therefore, it is essential that acceptance and tolerance is taught at a young age, so that children learn that no two people are the same and that being different or having a different opinion is okay. However, change will not happen overnight and will take a community to get rid of all their hate and bitterness for each other and focus on what is best for our nation as a whole. I agree with Gorski’s article “The Challenge of Defining “Multicultural Education” that in order for change to be successful 3 things need to be addressed: “the transformation of self, the transformation of schools and schooling and the transformation of
We have been given a multitude of chances to take the lessons of our ancestors in stride and better ourselves from their experiences, but instead we choose to neglect our lessons and relapse into a society fueled by hatred. The act of dehumanization has been an ongoing reoccurrence throughout our tarnished history. It may change, and evolve into new levels of hatred. It has no bias; it will choose its victims between race, sex, social levels and many other faucets that most of us are born into. In short, the historical lessons of this course have taught me that if we wish to provide a better future for not only our generation but also the generations that are to follow us, then we must change the way that we treat others who are different than us. The best way we can achieve this goal is to learn from the lessons that have been so prevalent throughout our
The Multicultural Education reform movement was designed to bring about a transformation of schools in order to provide an equal chance at success for all genders, cultures, languages, and ethnic groups. The movement required a variety of changes of the schools, including school policies, instructional materials, attitudes, assessment methods, and teaching styles. It is important that all major components of schools be changed in order to create a multicultural environment rather than only changing one or two components and expecting such a major change.
“An array of knowledges, skills, abilities and contacts possessed and used by Communities of Color to survive and resist racism and other forms of oppression” encompasses the main idea of Community Cultural Wealth. It is vital to understand that students will step foot into the classroom with a variety of cultures zipped up in their backpacks, and it is our job as educators to make sure that equality is instilled/taught in our classrooms. The second a student feels a sense of discrimination, whether from ourselves or their fellow classmate(s), is when the safe and comforting environment of the classroom begins to diminish. Here I will discuss just how important it is to see the differences amongst students as an advantage
...'s Children, is an important tool in the education of teachers to help them to see teaching is not a politic-free practice that has little to do with social justice. Through reading multicultural theorists like Delpit, teachers are better prepared to deal with the issues like injustice and "remove the blinders built of stereotypes, mono-cultural instructional methodologies, ignorance, social distance biased research and racism" in the classrooms (Delpit, 1995, pg.69).
...do not adequately prepare pre-service teachers to promote diversity, differences and acceptance in the classroom. Unless future and new teachers are provided with additional preparation and guidance as well as support from their administration to address political, racial and gender issues, there will remain a fear of doing so and students will continue to miss those learning opportunities related to controversial issues. Counts (2013) “ If the schools are to be really effective, they must become centers for the building, and not merely for the contemplation, or our civilization. This does not mean that we should endeavor to promote particular reforms through the educational system. We should, however, give to our children a vision of the possibilities which lie ahead and endeavor to enlist their loyalties and enthusiasms in the realization of the vision.” (p. 48)
This is extremely important because teachers should have positive multicultural attitudes that are open and welcoming to diversity, and treat all students and their culture fairly.
The world is made up of many different types of people, each one having his or her cultural background. Over the years, the United States has become increasingly populated with cultural diversity. This influx has prompted school administrators to recognize the need to incorporate multicultural programs into their school environment including classroom settings, school wide activities, and curriculum as it becomes more evident that the benefits of teaching cultural diversity within the school setting will positively influence our communities, and ultimately the entire nation’s future. The purpose of this paper is to share the pros and cons of multicultural education in the classroom. Additionally, I will express my views compared to those in the reading requirements for this assignment, as well as, new knowledge obtained through the research. Finally, I will share situations where I was challenged introducing a multicultural issue during a class.
I believe this is a very relevant topic today since prejudice and discrimination has become the leading issue of violence. The goal of this type of education is to teach the students that they have worth and can learn. It is a very positive subject matter when considering the benefits of implementing this type of education into a school system. This type of education encourages students of a diverse background to have a positive self-identity, pride in their heritage, accept others with diverse backgrounds, and promote social justice against prejudice and discrimination. Teachers can change the conversation in their classrooms by adding spontaneous and relevant content to their curriculum that both promotes multiculturalism and connects with the students. I believe a big part of making a change in our society today is by ‘changing the conversation’ whether that is about discrimination or another important issue. Teachers can step in at a very early age and promote feelings of self-worth and encourage the students to accept each other aside from cultural
This discriminate behaviour causes children to feel like they do not belong; there for withdrawing themselves from their school and learning. It is up to us as teachers, to further our learning and educate ourselves on the diverse world we live and teach in. The gender, culture, skin colour, dress and appearance of a child does not change who they are inside and their capability to learn. Teachers must not have preconceived ideas of a child. When children have strong relationships between home and school their learning and development is best supported (Hedges, Cullen & Jorden 2011). When teachers are interpreting the curriculum it is important they include practices that that link the home, family and community experiences. With a positive and supportive school environment, children can learn to feel and show acceptance for all people no matter of age, sex, race, culture and socio economics. Children can learn to value and respect themselves and each other. Australia has a diverse range of culture and ethnicities in schools and majority of schools are using effective methods to cater and enrich a child’s learning experience. Schools must support the ongoing professional development of teachers in gaining better knowledge of different cultures and the links between educational outcomes. Every child has the right to enjoy school, and it is up to us as
As a student in undergrad, I was young and I was focused on passing my classes versus detecting racial inequality, until it was spelled out like in the situation mentioned above. The effect this course is having on my life is that it is confirming that there are people who still treat others unfairly. When reading the course material and viewing my values, it becomes hurtful to accept such poor treatment because I am black and this could have been me. I value fairness with all people. As a human service professional it will even encourage me to speak up if I see a coworker or clients behaving unethical. As a professional it is up to me to identify and report inequality. It will be hard for me to let injustice actions take place. It takes a leader to stand up for what is
Diversity in classrooms can open student’s minds to all the world has to offer. At times diversity and understanding of culture, deviant experiences and perspectives can be difficult to fulfill, but with appropriate strategies and resources, it can lead students gaining a high level of respect for those unlike them, preferably than a judgmental and prejudiced view.
The thing about multicultural education that surprised me the most was how much opposition there is to multicultural education. I would think, by now, people would be able to see how unbalanced the current educational curriculum is and welcome the inclusion of aspects from other cultures. I have read arguments ranging from, multicultural education is inherently racist to multicultural education promotes Islam and is indoctrinating our youth with terrorist ideas. Like most hot button issues in this country, people in positions of power will use everything possible, including fear-mongering, to further their agenda.
The world is currently undergoing a cultural change, and we live in an increasingly diverse society. This change is not only affect the people in the community but also affect the way education is viewed. Teaching diversity in the classroom and focusing multicultural activities in the programs can help improve positive social behavior in children. There is no question that the education must be prepared to embrace the diversity and to teach an increasingly diverse population of young children.
There are many factors that play a role in the learning process for every human being. Race, religion, language, socioeconomics, gender, family structure, and disabilities can all affect the ways in which we learn. Educators must take special measures in the delivery of classroom instruction to celebrate the learning and cultural differences of each of their students. As communities and schools continue to grow in diversity, teachers are searching for effective educational programs to accommodate the various learning styles of each student while promoting acceptance of cultural differences throughout the classroom. It no longer suffices to plan educational experiences only for middle-or upper class white learners and then expect students of other social classes and cultures to change perspectives on motivation and competition, learning styles, and attitudes and values that their homes and families have instilled in them (Manning & Baruth, 2009).
Now that we have explored my past, present, and future experiences with diversity, it is time to see how they are present within and effect each other. Firstly, let’s look into how my future is present in my past. The most obvious portion of my future that is in my past is my willingness and efforts to love and include everyone and to spread this world view. It took a fellow classmate of mine to demonstrate to my third grade self that we are all human beings and we all deserve to be treated as such. In my future, I aspire to demonstrate this world view to my students and inspire them to treat each other accordingly. This aspiration directly reflects my world view struggles I went through in third grade, for I want to help my students come to