Best Practices for Success Teaching

Diverse Learners

Master’s in education programs can help teachers better

meet students’ diverse learning needs.

Meeting the educational needs of diverse learners is one of the most important tasks
teachers face on a daily basis, says Dr. Crestie Smith, a senior faculty member in The
Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership at Walden University and a
longtime classroom teacher.

“When you come into a classroom, you can clearly see that there is racial and cultural
diversity. But you don't see all of the diversity. Diversity is also where your students are
on the learning scale. A teacher may say, ‘Let me tell you about my class. Out of 25
students, I have four who are somewhat dyslexic. I have five students who have specific
reading disabilities. I have four students who don't speak any English at all …’ And
trying to meet the needs of all those kids, because they have such different needs, is
really a challenge,” she says.

Children bring the many gifts of diversity to P–12 classrooms. The National Education
Association (NEA) identifies some of those “dimensions of diversity” as race, ethnicity,
gender, language, culture, religion, and mental and physical ability. 1
Within each learning population, different abilities and circumstances can make
reaching all students even more complex. Dr. Smith, who is also a middle school
teacher in Southwest Florida, shares an example:

“In many communities like mine, within our English language learner (ELL) population
there are kids who might have a language delay, or who may not speak any English.
Others may speak English but speak another language at home so that the only English
they’re speaking is at school. While their conversational English is fine, when it comes
time to do academic work and use a textbook, they struggle. People don’t talk like a
textbook. And while the students’ minds are super quick—meaning they absorb that
new language like a sponge—the academic side of learning is going to be a challenge.”

As children of all abilities come together for an education the U.S. government says
must be conducted in the least restrictive environment, school districts offer different
layers of support to help teachers meet their students’ needs.

“Typically, there are Exceptional Student Education (ESE) and ELL departments, aides,
and teachers. Some districts will have pull-out classes for those children to give the kids
extra support. As a teacher, you hope that you’re in a school where you can go to those
people who are the experts and they can help you.”

In other districts, where support is less plentiful, teachers must become more
resourceful, Dr. Smith says.

“Sometimes you’re lucky enough to get support staff. But that is dependent on where
you are geographically, your district level of support, and sadly, money. If you don’t
have personnel to send to help, then teachers are left to their own devices to try to
come up with ways to meet the needs of the children,” she says.

“Sometimes it’s just saying to yourself, I’m going to do the best I can for these kids and
maybe develop alternative assignments that are going to meet their needs. It may not
necessarily be in the same way as the rest of the class, but at least it’s something that
those students can do and feel successful and still be getting the subject matter.”

And there is help from multiple sources, developed as a result of America’s richness of
diversity, Dr. Smith explains. “Because we do have so much diversity in this country,
and because there is a lot of research on learning instruction, there is a plethora of
resources out there. I think any teacher could sit down and spend an hour or so going
through and finding resources that have good research to back them up. That can
certainly support them.”

And regardless of how much instructional support schools and districts provide,
educators have another good option to help them meet the needs of their students, Dr.
Smith says.

“A lot of the universities have responded to this, too, and there are degree programs
that focus just on ELL or ESE populations. You could be a general education classroom
teacher and get a graduate degree in one of those areas and become that expert, that
person who knows how to meet the needs of those children. It’s all about what you want
to do to try to meet the needs of your learners,” she says.

Acquire New Skills, Teaching Strategies

An MS in Education (MSEd) can help you become the expert your students and school
need. Walden University offers online master’s in education degree programs with
specializations that can position you to meet your career goals.
In the Elementary Reading and Literacy (P–6) (Non-Licensure) specialization, you will
examine current research and practical strategies that can help you increase the
achievement of all students. This includes linguistically, culturally, and academically
diverse learners.
For special educators who want to enhance their skills, Walden offers Special Education
(Non-Licensure) (Grades K–12). In this MSEd specialization you’ll gain leadership skills
to support and sustain effective practices for students with exceptionalities. Coursework
in this program synthesizes the most current research and scientifically based
interventions. And you’ll use real-world case studies and virtual scenarios that
encourage collaborative problem-solving.
With Walden’s online teaching degrees, you’ll gain knowledge you can use immediately
in your classroom and school. Let a master’s in education freshen your skills and
recharge your career.
Walden University is an accredited institution offering an online MS in Education degree
program with multiple specializations. Expand your career options and earn your
degree in a convenient, flexible format that fits your busy life.