Camille A.

Labatete
BSED - Mapeh

Importance of a teachers understanding learner’s diversity

Diversity is the inclusion of different types of people in a group or organization. Although some
diversity within the classroom is obvious, some forms are not automatically visible. Students
come from different racial, ethnic, religious and linguistic backgrounds as well as different
learning styles, different levels of motivation, and different opinions. As an educator, I feel that it
is extremely important to be able to recognize and accommodate all aspects of diversity.

As a practice teaching or a student teacher I feel that as a teacher in today’s society, it is

extremely important to be versatile and flexible. By utilizing differentiated instruction
techniques, educators are able to influence and bond with more students. The majority of
classrooms include students from various backgrounds as well as different learning styles.
Howard Gardner believed that all people have many different types of intelligences. The multiple
intelligences are interpersonal, intrapersonal, linguistic, mathematical and logical, visual and
spatial, kinesthetic, musical, naturalist and spiritual and moral. By being specific and attentive I
plan to incorporate all of these intelligences within my lesson plans and classroom environment.
I feel that this alone will encourage students to think outside of the box, and be eager to learn
unknown skills and traits. Although mathematics and language are the most common scholarly
intelligences, all of the multiple intelligences are an important part of development and learning.
I feel that if I am able to recognize and understand multiple intelligences within my classroom, I
will be more effective in reaching my students.

I feel that teachers can support a diverse group by recognizing strengths and weaknesses and
also by encouraging students to accept each other regardless of differences. I plan to celebrate
diversity through activities that fuel reflection and by holding discussions that explore unity even
where differences do in fact exist. Diversity is something that will be forever present in society
as well as within the classroom. As an educator it is important that my students feel comfortable,
safe, and accepted in order to ensure development and learning.