4 of 8

Write now Article Tools

There is a reason every person is made differently. The reason is so we can live a life of variety and diversity rather than a life of monotony and boredom. However, as easy as this is to acknowledge as an adult, it is much more difficult to get the message across to a room full of students.

The absolute worst thing a teacher can do is ignore the issue of cultural diversity within the walls of the classroom. If the teacher is not willing to open the discussion, the students will open it and not always in a positive manner. A teacher should make the conversations politically correct as some students even at the secondary level do not know the right terms to use when referring to other cultures and resort to slang or derogative terms. Open communication will take your classroom a very long ways.

A second thing that a teacher can do in their classroom is utilize materials that are culturally diverse. Every book that is read or article that is studied should not revolve centrally around the predominate culture or race in the classroom. By reading and studying culturally diverse materials, the teacher is addressing the topic in a constructive and academic way.

There will be days as a teacher that you simply have to have an outright negative encounter with a student or group of students in regards to cultural diversity. This will become necessary at points when things are taking a downward turn or a student is being emotionally or physically damaged by other students' disregard for their peers. When and if this occurs, the teacher needs to be sure and follow up with all people involved in a more positive nature.

In closing, the best way a teacher can address this issue as well as any difficult issue is by modeling the behaviors and discussions that they expect. Teachers sometimes underestimate the power their behaviors can have on students and it makes it that much more important for a teacher to hold themselves as a role model every day and all day. By doing these things, a teacher will create a climate of open communication, fairness and diversity with little or no extra efforts.

Learn more about this author, Karen Meeker.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Addressing cultural diversity in the classroom?
We want to hear your view. Write now!