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A Philosophy of Diversity in My Classroom

With diverse students joining Arizonas classrooms daily, the demographics of Arizonas
schools is changing just as rapidly. Every classroom, includes a variety of cultural, ethnic, and
socioeconomic status backgrounds. Each student brings his or her own uniqueness to the class.
As a future educator, its important to address and celebrate these differences to prepare children
for the ever-changing America theyre living in today.
There are many benefits of my being a multicultural educator. Teaching multiculturally
enhances students knowledge about the real-world and brings them to accept that having
differences is okay. Students will begin to value diversity, rather than fear it. Teaching
multiculturally means that I will incorporate students cultures into the curriculum so that they
can connect to the lesson. If students see themselves and their experiences in the curriculum,
theyre more likely to want to learn and want to understand and theres are a variety of ways to
teach with a multicultural perspective while integrating learning about cultures and differences
into lessons.
Empowering students is one of the benefits of teaching multiculturally and will
encourage students to do their best. There are many ways to teach about differences and students
should know that others have different perspectives on the world and its events. Multicultural
teaching creates equity for students. One way to teach multiculturally would be to use
heterogeneous grouping. Heterogeneous grouping is especially helpful in improving academic
achievement for students from low-income and oppressed groups. Another way will be allowing
each student to share about their backgrounds and build lessons around how everyone is
different. Incorporating multiple cultures into the classroom helps students begin to value their
differences.
Students are different in so many ways. Their race, ethnic backgrounds, and cultural
backgrounds are only the beginning. Differences among students include gender, socioeconomic
status, language, family backgrounds, learning disabilities/paces, physical disabilities, and
natural talents, all of which play a big role in each students learning experience. When students
are taught to share and appreciate each others differences, theyll be more accepting towards one
another, students will learn about and share their backgrounds to their classmates and promote
acceptance towards one another. By doing so, I will also add value to the importance of honoring
diversity and respect for individual students in my classroom.
Establishing and maintaining a no judgement classroom environment is essential. A no
judgement classroom might serve as a second home for some students. Knowing that theyre
welcomed and wanted in their classroom can positively change their attitudes about learning. I
will create and maintain a no judgement classroom by always showing respect towards my
students. Being their example can provide guidance in their lives. Caring about students is the
first step towards letting them know that you respect them. Since classroom diversity is growing

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throughout schools, more challenges are arising with how to deal with a greater capacity of
differences.
There are many different resources that can be used to meet classroom challenges. Such
challenges can include students resisting the curriculum and learning if they feel like the lesson
is denigrating their culture by only seeing a dominant cultures point of view. Students may also
view teachers as untrustworthy if teachers seem unable to accept alternate perspectives. When
similar or different challenges arise, experienced teachers and/or principals can be of use. Both
of these resources can provide new insight into problems that have most likely occurred before.
Depending on the situation, talking to the students parents can also be helpful in problemsolving. One of the best strategies of problem-solving is to prevent problems before they occur.
Being a culturally sensitive teacher is a helpful strategy.
Every teacher should be culturally sensitive. Being culturally sensitive means not holding
one culture high above any other. Every activity should ensure success for all students. I believe
that all students can be successful. Students should be treated as equals by their teacher and
shouldnt have negative expectations about them because of their race or culture. As a teacher, I
must learn to consciously think about teaching multiculturally while interacting with students
and planning lessons and activities. Teaching from a multicultural perspective means requiring
the incorporation of diversity throughout the learning process and that race, ethnicity, class, and
gender need to be in the curriculum. I will promote human rights and how important they are
throughout life. My very best qualities as a future educator are treating students respectfully and
understanding their perspectives. My personal dispositions are to treat every student equally, to
not have cultural expectations, incorporate learning preferences and paces, and teach about
multiple cultures and ethnic backgrounds. My qualities as a future educator will make me a
teacher that students will look up to and enjoy learning from.
My commitment to valuing diversity in my classroom is very strong. By doing so, my
students will be more successful in the classroom and throughout life. Learning to respect each
others differences at a young age can be a lesson they use throughout their lives. My students
will be respectful members of the community and will be an example towards other children and
adults about how humans should behave towards one another, no matter our differences.