ion for Diversity: Teaching in the 21st Century Portfolio I Student Name: Date: Evaluator: CATEGORY 1 2 3 4 | Information has little Information relates to the Information clearly relates to the Information clearly relates ‘or norelationship to main topic. Fewer than 2 main topic. t provides at least 2 {to the main topic. It Quality of fhemnin topic, daisandor examples sporting deus andor ‘incudesseve! | ‘are give, ‘examples ‘supporting details and/or jexamples. | | i The paper uses no ‘The paper uses 2-3 ‘The paper uscs 4 supporting |The paper uses at least 5 ae supporting references. supporting references references. |supporting references. | | ape | | iy Information lacks [Information has limited Information is organized with Information is well | Organizath ‘organization |organiation; paragraphs well-constructed paragraphs. organized with well- ganization aro not well-constructed. ‘constructed paragraphs | [that flow logically trom | ‘ond foint tothe noxt (og, | | _sibhedging, transitions). ‘Most sources are Most sourees are |All sources are accurately [Al sources are accurately Sourees neither accurately accurately documented [documented with minimum documented and incorrect documented nor in some are not in APA style, |APA-style erors. [APA style APA style. vp | | | A | [Few questions ae Several questions are Mast qustions ar addessedin | Ail questions ae eee addressed in the addressed inthe paper. the paper. |addressed inthe paper. | ‘paper. | [ox | No evidence of | Demonstrates some (Clearly demonstrates valuing Evidence ofa mature | ae valuing diversity is [valuing of diversity, diversity atan emerging but [valuing of diversity roe shown, examples are shallow and genuine teaching disposition, _[shown. Examples of why i cliché-like this is important forthe febrtr eee | {21st coutury classroom are teaching | lexplained with co disposition i | ‘and intelligence ‘Shows no meaningful |Has some experiences [Communicates experiences with [Gives evidence of ‘personal experiences with diversity, but they are diversity sincerely and [comprehensive and with diversity |two-dimensional and show meaningfully at an emerging [several mature | |titic comprehension of level and demonstrates a [experiences with diversity Content: Personal | what they mean forthe [beginning understanding of how [and a clear understanding, ‘classroom, diversity applies tothe classroom of how this applies tothe experiences with diversity [classroom fiCATEGORY 1 2 Demonstrates litte or Demonstrates an Content: The no understanding of understanding of three comprehensive diversity found in the _ forms of diversity foun nature of diversity classroom (Two or the classroom. fewer forms of diversity are discussed) ‘No examples of great |One great diversity issue ‘Demonstrates a grasp of at least Demonstrates a 4 forms of diversity found in the \comprehensive grasp of at classroom and a beginning least 5 forms of diversity knowledge of the implications one will encounter in the for teaching and learning. classroom and a deep knowledge of the 7 implications forteathing ‘Two great diversity issues cited |More than two great rors in grammar ‘There are several enor in There are few errors in grammar, [There are no exrors in ‘editing, I A score of 3/40 is requi supervising professor wi nd. Hany 1 ratings student must come up wit ‘one week of receiving the grade. Revised 10/22/14 - Some informal | demonstrated ¥ a plan of action to correct this problem, This letter is due tothe and format taken from Rubistar - http//rabistar.steachers.org/index,Running head: DISPOSITION FOR DIVERSITY Disposition for Diversity: Teaching in the 21st Century Keondra D. Hill Wesleyan CollegeDISPOSITION FOR DIVERSITY Abstract ‘The purpose of this research is to explore how valuing diversity is important and critical for teaching students in the 21* century. Diversity is an important skill that needs to be developed by educators so that we have the ability to build upon knowledge that students bring into the classroom, which has been shaped by family, culture and communities.DISPOSITION FOR DIVERSITY 3 Disposition for Diversity: Teaching in the 21st Century Diversity is a concept that encompasses aeceptanee and respect. Diversity simply means understanding that an individual is unique, and recognizing ouindividual differences. Diversity is about understanding one another and going beyond tolerance but embracing and celebrating Vues these dimensions of diversity that an individual contains. Exploring these dimensions should be done in a positive, safe, and nurturing environment Diver ity in the Classroom Diversity in the classroom simply means that you are able to recognize that all students are unique in their own way. Diverse leamers consist of students with disabilities, ability, racially, ethnically, and linguistically diverse families and eoriimunities of different socioeconomic status and so forth. To simply put it diversity refers to students with different types of backgrounds, That is why it is important that educators embrace diversity and use it positively. In order to prepare students for the 21 century they need to have the ability to converse with people of other groups. The goal in every classroom should be making leaning possible for everyone. Teachers are leaders and models for children. It is crucial that educators value diversity and model it for students with a positive attitude, By valuing diversity one is able to recognize and respect that people are different and that differences are a good thing. I view the classroom as a team. Having a diverse classroom enables different perspectives, ideas, skills and approaches to problem solving. A team is much stronger when there is a variety of skills versus everyone having one common skill, It is my professional responsibility to make leaning equally possible for all students,DISPOSITION FOR DIVERSITY 4 Encourage, Value and Promoting Diversity The learning environment must be conducive to learning. A learning environment needs to be safe, respectable, and comfortable so that students have a higher chance of success. Society is continually becoming more diverse, so it’s important that students learn the value of diversity. ‘The role of teachers is never ending, but a very important role that a teacher must fill is valuing, diversity. One way in which a teacher can show she values diversity is by allowing time for students to learn about one another and gain an appreciation for the diversity in which they bring to the classroom, It is important that students know that everybody has strengths and weaknesses pit - and that without differences no one would possess a uniqueness. Another way a teacher can show she values diversity is by bringing in different people to class as a resource to give students a better connection, Students need positive role models that they connect with because they are more likely to connect with these individuals and able to listen and learn from them as well. Personally, while growing up [ know that whenever someone came to speak I was more likely to be engaged when I was able to connect with similarities. I fee it is also important for teachers to implement a “zero tolerance” policy in which you make it known that bullyiig, teasing, and other types of put down behavior is not acceptable. Anything that is disrespectful, hurtful, or intolerant of diversity should not be tolerated. This is very important for me because these types of behaviors can be very damaging to a student’s success in the classroom. Taking moments where diversity exist among students is crucial for modeling inclusiveness. Activities that may be difficult for a student with disabilities and having students belp adapt the activity allows for everyone to participate. Rewarding or praising students for valuing others participation can establish a norm for inclusiveness. To create an environment where a student feels valued & teacher can take time to learn about their student’s background, interest, and learning style. ByDISPOSITION FOR DIVERSITY 5 doing this it will allow an educator to create an environment that that is conducive to each individual student. How can a teacher teach a classroom of students if she doesn’t know whom she is teaching? Students come from various backgrounds and have different learning needs. Every child won’t come from a household where education is valued, or exposed to tools in which will help them succeed in school, Learning Styles. Ail students are created equally and differently. The best way for ‘anyone to learn depends on that individual. I have leamed from various education courses and through my own experiences that everyone has their own way of learning and what works best for one may not work for all, Not everyone learns information at the same rate or in the same ‘way, but everyone is capable of learning. It is up to teachers to address a variety of approaches in ‘hich they teach lessos: This is where learning styles comes in. According to the Joumey to Excellence research summary, learning styles can be defined as a preferred way of learning, ‘They are used to helps us understand the different ways in which students lear. Individual students learn most effectively when teachers are able to respond to students’ individual learning styles. Learning styles are important because it’s a way of teaching diverse learners through diverse teaching strategies. A diverse classroom can consist of minority, special needs, gifted, high, or low ability students, Educators should identify a student's strengths, finding learning styles and intelligences of the individual student is crucial for their suecess. It is implied that Jeamers have a natural inclination toward learning of some kind and, if that preference can be ing can help students learn more effectively. It’s the preferential identified, teaching and lear ‘way in which a student absorbs, processes, comprehends and retains information. Whether a Jeamner is visual, auditory, kinesthetic, linguistic, logical, social or solitary learner a diverse teacher will not type students, but use @ diverse method of teaching to meet all students learningDISPOSITION FOR DIVERSITY 6 needs. The abi to give every student a better chance to succeed in school depends upon the understanding of culture, °) Culture, Ethnicity, Language and Gender, (Ashbaker, 2006) defines Culture refers to values, customs, attitudes, and behavior patterns that characterize a social group. (p. 87). This ‘can include the way one dresses, food we eat, family structure, religion, and our values. As a future educator I know my own culture and values may differ from that of my students and their families. In order to have suecess in the classroom it's important that educators educate themselves about different cultures and be open to difference. Culture influences a student’s suceess in school. This is done through attitudes, values, and the ways of viewing the world that are transmitted by cultures. (Ashbaker, 2006) states ethnicity is a person’s ancestry and it reflects the ways individuals identify themselves with the nation from which they or their ancestor have come, (p.88) Ethnicity is a very important part of culture, I's a person’s background. It's important to shine a light on the achievement gaps among the diverse groups of students. This enables all students succeed, regardless of their ethnic or language background, There are differences in cultures between the learning styles of boys and girls as well as educational outcomes. There are beliefs such as girls exceling in arts and boys exceling in math, science, and technology which are past down from cultural influences and generations still today. This can be damaging for both boys and girls, Classroom research has shown that teachers frequently give boys more opportunities to answer difficult questions and encourage them to do mote science and math, and have higher expeetations then they do of girls (Askbaker, 2006). This is why it’s important to become aware of biased behaviors so that gender discrimination doesn’t take place. The classroom needs to be a place witere no limits are placed on boys and girls abilities, and that “ students know to treat one another with respect and equality. feDISPOSITION FOR DIVERSITY 7 Race, It would be lovely if children could grow up in a world free of bias and discrimination, to reach dreams and feel that they can accomplish whatever they want in lif. want all students to feel loved and included and not feel the hurt of exclusion and rejection. Sadly we still live in a world where racism and other forms of bias still affects us. Discrimination is very hurtful and can leave scars that can last a life time. Discrimination can effect ones goals, ambitions, life choices, and feelings of self-worth. Brown v. Board of Education decision was a great move in American history whieh struck down the separate but equal segregation in public education, This opened doors for minorities to attend white-only schools, and helped dispel the myth of racial inferiority. Moving forward educators first need to be able to discuss racial issues with one another. By doing this it opens doors to confront issues of race that have to do with student leaming, By having these types of dialog teachers are able to recognize their own beliefs about leatning abilities of students and how they overlap with race. With so many racial issues flashing across the media, dialogue about race needs to start in the classroom, Multiculturalism and ways to honor diversity needs to be explored with students. In my future classroom I will make sure the classroom environment is displayed with posters, books, pictures and other ‘materials that are diverse in terms or race, ethnicity, gender, age, family situations, disabilities and so forth. Having these various representations allows students to feel included and it helps to teach students about the world beyond the classroom. [also think it is very important that I improve myself as well as my students. Educating myself on other prejudices, social injustices vA and biases that affect other groups as well, helps for better understanding, 1 ‘These are my views on how we can make a difference in the lives of all students by valuing the importance of diversity and making sure that student success is a top priority where they can feel safe, appreciated, and accepted for who they are as we prepare them for the future.DISPOSITION FOR DIVERSITY 8 References ASCD Improving Student Achievement Research Panel, & Cole, R. W. (2008). Educating Everybody's Children: Diverse Teaching Strategies for Diverse Learners. ‘Ashbaker, B. Y., & Morgan, J. (2013). Paraprofessionals in the classroom: A survival guide. Boston: Pearson, Diftily, D. (2004). Teachers and families working together. Boston: Pearson/A and B. Jones, V. F., & Jones, L. 8, (2001). Comprehensive classroom management: Creating ‘communities of support and solving problems. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, Research summary - learning styles. (n.d.), Retrieved March 26, 2016. ttpy/Avww,joumeytoexcellence.org.ul/resourcesandepd/tesearch/summaries/rslearningstyles.asp