Teaching Tolerance and Embracing DiversityCULTURAL AWARENESS AND ACCEPTANCE IN SCHOOL

BY: KIESHA PAUL

The Teacher

Your Role as the Teacher• Assess where you are in

your knowledge of groups other than your own.

• Seek all avenues of learning as much as possible about groups other than your own, whether it be by reading autobiographies, talking to friends, or attending diversity seminars and training sessions.

• Recognize that there are going to topics you may not fully understand.

Be Open to Learn from Your Students• Understand the very real

experiences of each individual student. Build on the knowledge they bring to the classroom.

• The validation of their experiences does not mean they’ll always be right, but their views can be valuable first-hand knowledge on a topic.

Check in with yourself daily.Videotaping yourself will allow you to recap the progression of each day. Evaluate your words, phrases and tones during discussion. This insight can better prepare you for the next day.

The Classroom

The Classroom Environment

Include culturally diverse representations in the classroom.

Provide handouts to ensure a welcoming and inclusive environment.

Transparent CommunicationCreate an open environment for transparent expression and communication. It’s important for each student to understand that their input is valued.

Learning StylesUtilize a variety of teaching methods ensure that all student learning styles (hands-on and visual) are available for all types of learners.

Teaching Materials

Discussing Sensitive MaterialAnticipate discriminatory beliefs and be okay with indicating them as such; make it clear that you don’t agree. This will prevent your class from feeling you share these beliefs.

Discussing Sensitive TopicsPrepare that some topics may lead to heated debates.

Preface the class and caution them to be mindful of their words and considerate to others’ feelings.

Invite guest speakers.A guest speaker can supplement your knowledge and also add another perspective to the topic at hand.

Teaching Techniques

Volunteer Speakers

“Volun-told”Consider calling upon students rather than only relying speakers.

Give TimeAfter asking a question, wait about 4 seconds to allow bashful speakers a chance to come out of their shell.

Random SpeakersUtilize a random system to choose speak, like people wearing the color blue.

Anonymous FeedbackLeave a “Comments” box to allow for students to express themselves. They may not be open to speaking in front of the class, but their voice and opinion will be heard.Make it a point to reach each note everyday so students realize their opinion will be addressed.

Encourage the studentsEncourage the students, specifically when evaluating their assignments. Affirm your support in them, and remind them that you’re here to help.

Advice

Equality ≠ alikenessEquality doesn’t imply alikeness. Aim to give each student the same level of respect, yet meet each student at their point of need.

Group RepresentativeTry not to single out students who belongs to a group and ask them to speak as a representative of the group they belong in.

Celebrate Diversity! Taking a color-blind approach hinders the process of

valuing diversity, views differences as deficiencies, and devalues identities (Nieto & Bode, 2012, p. 157).

Instead, acknowledge and celebrate the differences and use it as a way to learn from others.