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

What Is Your Definition of Diversity?

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

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.

Diversity is Represented in Many Ways

Culture

Language

Religion

Skin Color

Gender

Socio Economic

Physical Differences

Emotional Differences

Family Structures

Learning Abilities

Learning Styles

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.

Ask YourselfWho 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?

How do the factors that identify you

affect how you react to others?How Do Others See You?

“Sometimes you can’t see yourself clearly

until you see yourself through the eyes of

others.”Ellen Degeneres

We are often unaware of our own

assumptions and biased perceptions.

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)

So We Can All Work Together

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.

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