``Department of Education, University of the People

EDUC 5010: Education in Context

Dr. Debra Cahl

December 12, 2021

Diversity in the Classroom

Diversity has become an important aspect of all classrooms. Teachers are now having

students from different cultural backgrounds in their classes and they have the responsibility of

providing everyone with positive learning experiences so that they will all be able to function in

society. These students often have varied needs and teachers have to manage this diversity so

that all students will be properly catered for. According to Brown-Aaron (2008) “Diversity is

what makes each of us different and includes many aspects: race, ethnicity, sexual orientation,

socio-economic status, age, gender, religious beliefs and even political convictions.”

Types of Diversity in the Classroom

I have had the experience of working in an International school where students came

from all over the world. I found out that there are many factors that affect the disparity of

educational experiences in the classroom. These include language race, ethnicity, religion,

gender, and economic status. According to Flannigan (2018) “In today's classroom, teachers

encounter a diverse student body. Some of this diversity is obvious: More than ever, students

come from different racial, ethnic, religious and linguistic backgrounds. However, some

diversity is not so visible. Students have different learning styles, different levels of motivation

and different opinions about the world around them. The responsive teacher should work to

recognize and accommodate these different brands of humanity.”

Language

Many of my students spoke another language other than English. I had students who

spoke Arabic, French, Hindi, Mandarin and Spanish. Everyone, regardless of the language they

spoke, had to learn English and students were prohibited from using their language in class.
Some students struggled with their learning as a result of this and sometimes it was very

frustrating for me as the teacher.

Byrnes (1992) believes that “With more and more limited or non-English-speaking

children entering classrooms, their teachers must address language as well as cultural diversity

within the classroom. They must examine their own attitudes and attitudes of their students

toward speakers of other languages. When a teacher and student can communicate through a

common language, there is a sense that they can share their cultures and learn from one another.

When the child does not speak English and the teacher does not speak the child's language, both

culture and language limit communication. Teachers are frustrated because they have no way of

understanding a child's culture and what the child knows, feels or needs in the way of instruction.

Frustration can turn to anger as teachers realize they are accountable for teaching this child with

neither the training nor resources for doing so.”

Race
My classroom was also filled with students from different races. Diversity is an avenue

for students to be more culturally immersed with other people beyond their races and it creates a

wider range of social groups for them to interact with. However, this is not the case with most

educational institutions. Racism is rampant in classrooms as some students are given privileges

based on their skin color and some students also chose their friends based on their color.

According to GoGuardian (2019) “Although the concept of race tends to be learned, children are

still able to see skin color and the differences between them, especially in a racially diverse

society like the U.S. Race acceptance and sensitivity should permeate the classroom across the

board—between students and with teachers and students. It is just as important for teachers to
respect and recognize the impact of race on their students as it is for students to recognize it

among themselves.”

Gender

Gender discrimination is also rampant, which makes bullying still a norm. This promotes

hostility in students who identify themselves outside heterosexuality. I have also notice that

some teachers are more likely to ask girls to answer questions in the class more than boys. Stuart

(2021) believes that teachers should model to students how to recognize and positively correct

biased behavior when they are aware of it. Using the appropriate choice of language and

expectations is the first step to promoting equality. Language should be neutral (for example,

there are no ‘boy’ or ‘girl’ colors), and challenging stereotypical and biased behavior explicitly

in students.

Alber (2017) has outlined some strategies to promote gender equity in the classroom.

 Ensure there is a mixture of gender books used.

 Wait/think time should be used deliberately when calling on students.

 Make sure all students are equitably included in discussions and participation.

 Highlight gender stereotypical language used in the classroom by students and use it to

have broader discussions.

 Videotape classes and review interactions with students to ensure there is no bias.

 Design a lessons to discuss gender equity.

Economic Status

Many researchers have found that students who come from middle class family are still

the major composition of the population who go to college even though the government makes

an effort to provide subsidy for free education This is due to the fact that some families have the

financial capacity to provide their students with a good education. Families might benefit from

free tuition however they cannot afford study materials, cost of living, and other miscellaneous

fees. Some schools do not have sufficient materials or the manpower to provide students with the

education they need.

How to Foster Classroom Diversity?

Education, or lack thereof, plays a big role in the society, primarily because it is a

predetermined by the sociological role we are going to have in the future. Schools also provide a

platform for children to be interactive with people who are beyond their sociological scope. If

education and schooling are going to have a function and purpose, they should promote

inclusiveness so that they can be accessible to all people regardless of race, gender, and

economic status. On a sociological perspective, schooling is an avenue for socialization,

immersion, and placement of students for the future.

When students come into my classroom I do not care about their class, race, social status,

gender, color or the language they speak. I always try to ensure that I provide them with the

quality education they need so that they will be able to function in society. I always try to teach

them about diversity and the importance of accepting each other regardless of the way they are. I
even do the experiment with the two different color eggs to show them that no matter what their

color they are all human beings. I have even done a team up with students from different

countries where they have to work with each other and learn about each other’s culture and at the

end of a particular period they have to report on what they learnt. This is really effective in

promoting diversity and they are becoming more tolerant of each other and are trying to embrace

each other’s culture.

According to Walden University (2021) teachers can foster diversity in the classroom by:
 Expressing an interest in diversity.

 Being sensitive to cultural differences.

 Maintaining high levels of expectations for all students.

 Adopting a culturally inclusive curriculum.

Why is Diversity Important?

According to Drexel University “Fostering inclusion and awareness around multicultural

education and taking a culturally responsive approach to teaching benefits all students. Not only

does creating greater multicultural awareness and inclusion help students with different

backgrounds and needs succeed, but it encourages acceptance and helps prepare students to

thrive in an exponentially diverse world.” Diversity is important in the classroom because

students will:

 Become more empathetic.

 Gain a better understanding of people and lessons.

 Be more open-minded.

 Feel more safe and confident

  Be better prepared for a diverse workplace.
References

Alber, R. (2017). Gender Equity in the Classroom. https://www.edutopia.org/blog/gender-

equity-classroom-rebecca-alber

Brown-Aaron, S. (2008). Strategies to Bring Diversity into the Classroom. Strategies to Bring
Diversity Into the Classroom (wgu.edu)

Byrnes, D. A. (1992). Anti-Bias Teaching in a Diverse Society.

https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED348152.pdf#page=73

Drexel University. The Importance of Diversity & Cultural Awareness in the Classroom. The
Importance of Diversity in the Classroom | Drexel University

GoGuardian, (2019). Diversity in K-12 Classrooms.

https://www.goguardian.com/blog/diversity-in-the-classroom

Stuart, E. (2021). Gender bias at school: where to find it and how to combat it.
https://www.internationalwomensday.com/Activity/15307/Gender-Bias-at-School-Where-to-
Find-It-and-How-to-Combat-It

Walden University, (2021). Why Cultural Diversity and Awareness in the Classroom Is
Important. https://www.waldenu.edu/online-bachelors-programs/bs-in-elementary-education/
resource/why-cultural-diversity-and-awareness-in-the-classroom-is-important.