Diversity in the Classroom

1. •
Past Perceptions
“I've learned that people will forget what you
said, people will forget what you did, but
people will never forget how you made them
feel.” Maya Angelou
Dr. Melinda Tompkins
Lewis Clark State College

2. What Is Your Definition of
Diversity?
Write It Down

3. Today’s Classrooms Are
Changing
• The student population in the U.S. is becoming more and more
diverse.
• Many enter teaching with a limited understanding of cultures,
other than our own.
• Our limited understandings, which are often based on past
perceptions, can create walls that hinder a student’s ability to
be successful
• Knowing your student, who they are as a group as well as
individuals, is a very important part of good teaching

5. • Teachers need to look deep inside themselves and
critically assess how they relate to students and how they
understand their students’ cultures.
• As a pre-service teacher it is imperative that you prepare
to welcome and teach to all students.
• Please do NOT assume that because you live in Idaho
that there is NO DIVERSITY!! Open your eyes – Look
Around

7. Diversity is Represented in
Many Ways
• Culture
• Language
• Religion
• Skin Color
• Gender
• Socio Economic
• Physical Differences
• Emotional Differences
• Family Structures
• Learning Abilities
• Learning Styles

9. What Are Your Own Cultural
Preconceptions?
• Becoming aware of our own cultural identity is the first
step.
• I encourage you to explore, understand and acknowledge
your own cultural, or ‘social’ identity.
• Self-Awareness increases our own insights and broadens
our horizons.

10. Ask Yourself
Who Am I?
Think about some terms that serve to identify you.
• Gender; Mother/Father; Sister/ Brother, Wife/Husband;
Friend….
• Ethnicity; Cultural Background; Socio-Economic ‘Class’;
Resident of; Where did you grow up, Where have you lived…..
• Religious Beliefs and Affiliation; Political Affiliation; Clubs;
Organizations; Teams; Job and/or talents: Hobbies;…..
• What type of personality do you have; Type of learner; How do
you communicate; Respond or Relate to others…..
This is just the beginning
What would YOU add as you consider your own identity?

11. •
How do the factors that
identify you affect how
you react to others?
How Do Others See You?

12. •
“Sometimes you can’t see
yourself clearly until you
see yourself through the
eyes of others.”
Ellen Degeneres

13. •
We are often unaware
of our own
assumptions and
biased perceptions.

15. •
I hope that, in the process
of this course, you will take
the opportunity to reflect on
your own attitudes and
beliefs.
“By honestly examining their attitudes and beliefs
about themselves and others, teachers begin to
discover why they are who they are, and can
confront biases that have influenced their value
system (Villegas & Lucas, 2002)

16. So We Can
All Work
Together
To TRULY
Leave
NO CHILD
BEHIND!

17. •
We could learn a lot from crayons!
Some are sharp, some are pretty, some are
dull, some have weird names and all are
different colors… but they all have to learn to
live in the same box.

18. The Reflective Professional
• LCSC Professional Standards for Teaching
• The teacher is a reflective practitioner who continually
evaluates the effects of his/her choices and actions on
others (students, parents, and other professionals in the
learning community). The teacher actively seeks out
opportunities to grow professionally.
• http://www.lcsc.edu/education/teacherprep/standards/index.shtml
• INTASC Principal 9
• Professional growth/reflection