Competency 4.

D Reflection
Culture is a topic that I care deeply about and intend to make a centerpiece of my
classroom and classroom management. I want to express a message to my students that diversity
and embracing others' culture is something that you should do on a consistent basis. Through
culture and diversity, students can learn to embrace their own culture and others. As someone
who comes from 3 different cultures, I have experienced the beauty and benefits that diversity
offers. Through these experiences, I have learned to embrace others' culture including their
foods, customs, and traditional holidays. Being culturally friendly, your perspective of the world
expands and your eyes may be open to trying new things. From an intellectual standpoint, I want
students to be knowledgeable about culture so that they may be more aware of the world around
them and able to make educated opinions on other cultures. They should be aware of the ways in
which other people around the world act and carry themselves. I feel that this is especially
important considering the world and society that we currently live in. There is too much hate
centered in false assumptions, ignorance, and blatant disregard of the others that make up this
country. One of the most beautiful things about America is that it is made up of so many
different types of peoples from all over the world. Not all countries can say the same. It is also
the land of the free and that freedom includes the freedom to embrace your culture and share it
with those around you. With this being said, socially you have the opportunity to meet and
interact with people that are different from you and have different experiences. As a result you
dive deep into meaningful conversations about each other's perspectives and begin to see the
beauty of diversity among cultures. I believe that through the spread of culture, our society may
become more welcoming to those who come from foreign countries. In my opinion, being
culturally aware and accepting makes you a better citizen in society. From an emotional
standpoint, I think that it makes you more open minded, genuinely care about those around you,
and ultimately makes you more willing to stand up for what you believe in. Emotions are a
driving force in what individuals choose to believe in and stand up for. This is the exact emotion
that I plan to evoke in each of my students through the way I manage my classroom and treat
others.
My first form of evidence of this belief is the “Notable Books for a Global Society
Project” from 307, this was an assignment where we had to read 8 books from a list called
“Notable Books for a Global Society”. All these books are unique to a certain ethnicity, religion,
sexuality, or culture. We analyzed each book and had to critically brainstorm ways we can use
the books in the classroom and produce artistic responses to each text. The cultural types that we
read about included Jewish, African American, African, Asian, American, and Muslim. This was
one of my favorite assignments we did that semester. I think it was an amazing opportunity I had
to read books about other cultures in a format that is not as formal but still relieves the reality of
these cultures. Additionally this assignment allowed me to see how my students may interpret
these texts so that I may create meaningful conversations and discussion in the classroom. I think
the first step of inviting culture into the classroom is showing students each culture, then the next
step is how you go about talking about each culture and practicing diversity. I intend to do this
through in-depth conversations and meaningful discussion where students can ask questions and
pick other students' minds. Children are naturally curious so if you give them the opportunity to
have these conversations in a safe environment then they will become more accepting and
inclusive over time. Outside of discussion, there should be alternative ways to go about talking
about culture or displaying diversity. This assignment does a great job of this by requiring us to
make a variety of artistic responses to the texts. I think that artistic responses are an amazing task
that students can really get so much out of without even recognizing it.
My second piece of evidence is “15 Caldecott Medal winners annotations” from 307, we
had to read 15 Caldecott winning books and provide a summary and our review of the text.
Through this assignment, I was able to read a variety of books and brainstorm what ways I would
use the texts in the classroom. These books were all very different from one another and provide
their own unique purpose. These texts were not specifically about any one culture but
encompasses morals that resonate with students in a way they can learn from and understand. All
the books were picture books, so there is a benefit in the ability that pretty much all students can
pick up the book and get a gist of what it was about. Picture books offer students great lessons in
social behaviors. They put education in a light that is low risk and easy to understand. Honestly
sometimes simplicity is the best thing when translating a message with a large group. Again, by
reading these books I will be able to better relate to children and predict how they might respond
to specific books or events in a book. From this experience, I can create a plan of action to help
students practice these morals. I may also use these books to bridge together behavioral
messages and content proficiency. I am a strong proponent for killing 2 birds with one stone
using a culturally-relevant text.