I have yet to do a blog entry on Diversity in the classroom. It has been on my 'To Do' list for quite some time and I have avoided it primarily as I feel that to talk about diversity is to continue coddling different races as 'different' thereby keeping alive the prejudice that exists between them.
I understand that a sweeping statement like the above could get me into trouble as a Teacher: Heaven knows, we are strongly advised to keep our opinions to ourselves and for the sake of our professional reputations become the bland and self-effacing new generation of teachers. The students come first and their whimsical fancies become law much faster than necessary resources for teaching become available.
So, the issue of embracing diversity in the classroom is a hot topic and one that we should all be considering. I believe that this is a very good idea for all educational practitioners: not diversity on its own but the idea of 'embracing' in general. I am not recommending hugging any of the students; there is enough propaganda about a touch on the shoulder leading directly to a harassment tribunal. It took me a good three months to feel comfortable enough that a friendly hand-on-arm wouldn't see my aspirations as a teacher vanish in a puff of legal action.
What I am recommending though is embracing our students on an individual basis. Any teacher worth their salt knows that within the nine months of an academic year, they will get to know some if not all their students on quite a deep level. There's no point being a teacher if you're not. If you are not a people-person, relying on using social skills to teach what you know to a number of others, will be difficult. Your ability to do this well probably lead you to choose this profession in the first place.
When you have a classroom of students you need to embrace all their foibles, as they will learn to love you for yours. So embracing them for being them should be the priority of any teacher not just because they are of a particular race. Love them for being them. Wouldn't you ask for the same for yourself?
