Group 1 response: What does diversity in the classroom mean to you?

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1 Group 1 response: I celebrate diversity in the classroom. How exciting to have 25 different perspectives and viewpoints on a topic! My students bring different schemata to each subject we discuss. If they have very little background knowledge about a subject, someone else will fill in. If they are very well-versed on a particular subject, they like to share their knowledge. Each child comes from a different home lifestyle..some are poor with illiterate parent(s), some have two college-educated parents and have a wealth of rich experiences, and some fall in between. A child s race, religion, cultural background, upbringing, even his gender affects how he thinks, feels, and responds. In my opinion diversity means a lot of things. Students can be diverse in terms of academic ability, race, gender, and experience. All students have had different upbringings and this can effect their learning. We as teachers must be aware of the differences that exist with our students and make sure to not allow it to hinder their learning or school experience. Each student will bring a different perspective to the subject of Language Arts. Because the subject is so all encompassing it will be exciting to see how each student s background and personal connections will add to a richer more complete understanding of every topic being discussed Diversity in the classroom means working with a groups of students that come from culturally diverse backgrounds, ses, race, ethnicity, and gender. These students also have a varying range of intellectual ability. In turn these students respond differently to various types of learning styles and methods. In addition, the classroom needs to modified in a way that speaks out to the different styles and backgrounds of the students and teacher or teachers in the classroom. To, this writer that it diversity in the classroom looks like on daily basis. Differences. This could include nationality, heritage, culture, religion, and race as well as learning styles, strengths and weaknesses, ability level. When I think of diversity in the classroom, I think of the differences students have. Not only cultural and ethnic differences, but learning styles, intelligence levels, socioeconomic status, and social status. Since most students ARE on a different page when we begin a topic, it is important to find out what they already know and even what they hope to learn about a subject to assess their background knowledge. This will help me plan my instruction. Also, keeping in mind that diversity affects thinking, feeling, and responding, I make sure all students know that I believe they can learn and that I hold high expectations of them. Then I make it my mission to ensure that I find the learning style that suites each child best and use a VARIETY of instruction strategies so that each child will achieve the learning objective. This makes teaching and learning challenging, but quite enjoyable. I think that my perspectives regarding diversity will impact teaching and learning in my classroom in a positive manner because I am open to it. I will not discriminate nor tolerate discrimination from anyone else in my classroom. All students will have the same opportunity to learn. Students will feel free to be themselves rather than feeling uncomfortable about the way they are. With class discussion as well as group work and individual assignments, each student will have the opportunity to express their attitudes and feelings. It will greatly enhance all student

2 learning to understand how others see the same topic. As a teacher, I will embrace all students and look forward to all students sharing their thoughts and views in the classroom This writer's personal perspectives regarding diversity greatly impact teaching and learning, for this pre-service teacher strongly believes that every child should be treated fairly and equally. Therefore, students need to respect one another in the classroom as well as guest speakers, teachers, and other staff members. Students need to be willing to work collaboratively in group settings with students that have varying interests and opinions in order to develop good team working skills for the future. In turn, if everyone shows a high level of respect with one another than less discipline problems will occur within the school and the community. If you know that diversity is going to occur in some manner or another, you are much more prepared to take on any challenges that may occur within a diverse setting. Teachers need to realize that everyone is different and everyone needs to be treated as an individual, not just as a member of a particular class. Interests, traditions, learning styles and other forms of diversity should be pulled in whenever possible to create a learning environment that is positive for every student. My perspectives regarding diversity will impact teaching and learning in my classroom in a couple of ways. First, my students will see how I handle diversity in the classroom, and more than likely react in the same manner. Second, in order for me to do my best educating the students, I need to take into account the diversity in the classroom. The most rewarding aspect is finding out what makes each child tick. It is very rewarding to finally reach a child, when the light bulb goes on in his head and he says, Oh, I get it now!! We jump up and down and celebrate when that happens. I love the different approaches the students take and the different ideas each individual brings to a discussion. My students have loved the social studies lessons I teach. They can t believe how fast the time goes when they are actively engaged and learning from each other. It is rewarding for me to learn from them as well. I think that the most rewarding aspects of working with diverse students is that there are so many more ways to reach your students. There are a lot more experiences to hear about and to allow take shape in the learning process. There is a lot to learn from each student. Also, with diverse students there are even more ways to make a difference in a student's life. I hope to enable all students to feel comfortable and be able to accommodate all types of learners with all types of background to help each other and move forward to become successful citizens. The most rewarding aspects of working with diverse students is the ability to undestand where one another is coming from and to obtain the ability to see ideas in the light of a new perspective or opinion. People learn from people and the only way one can learn from one another is to have the ablity to appreciate and respect diversity. People have varying opinions every day. However, in order to learn new tactics and rationalize why cultures are the way they are, then people need to be willing to listen to each other and be willing to agree to disagree when differences of opinion arise. More importantly, working with diverse students allows people to understand each other's points of veiw and the customs that they hold sacred. Teaching tolerance. Students need to learn through personal experience and exposure that there are many different types of people in the world and that not everyone looks the same, speaks the same language, learns at the same rate or in the same manner, etc. If students get a firm hold on tolerance and won't put up with anything less, the overall school environment is likely to improve. The most rewarding aspect of working with diverse students is to see the different perspectives that each student can bring to the classroom. These different perspectives can be an eye opener by exposing them to these different perspectives. By exposing the students to the diversity in the classroom, the students will better suited to work with diversity.

3 Group 2 response: To me, diversity in the classroom means students coming from different backgrounds. Beyond just ethnicity, diversity means many things. This can include family type and size, economic level, age, ability level and many other entities that make human beings unique. Having a class that is highly diverse is not a bad thing. I personally welcome the different viewpoints, attitudes and backgrounds that come with working in a diverse environment. Diversity is having a group of students that come from different backgrounds and think about topics in different ways. Also they have different home lives and practices in regards to that. My perspectives regarding diversity shape the way I approach teaching in that I try to make sure that my teaching strategies cover many different learning modalities. In terms of student learning, I think that the students have just as much to learn from each other as they do from me. Group and partner work can help to facilitate this learning, so I make sure to incorporate as much of these types of activities as are appropriate. My perspective on diversity is one of acceptance and understanding so my perspective will not inhibit anything. The most rewarding aspects of working with diverse students include creating a classroom community of learners, learning about different cultures and getting the students prepared to be contributing members to the diverse work environment they will eventually be come a part of. The most rewarding aspect of working with diverse students will be learning about them and their differences; I enjoy learning that's why I'm a teacher. Group 3 response: Having different ethnic backgrounds in the room means that both teachers and students will be able to learn from each other. The presence of diverse students in the classroom will create a wonderful opportunity for teachers and students to learn about customs, beliefs, and traditions that may be outside of their own personal experiences. Students with disabilities have significant contributions to the diversity of the classroom and have influenced the classroom dynamics. Teachers will have more challenges that they will encounter due to the increase in diversity.

4 My perspectives on diversity will influence education in my classroom because I come to teach with an open mind. I went to a fairly diverse school and I believe that I am aware of many of the differences amongst different ethnic backgrounds. As a teacher I will try to develop a multifaceted approach to meet those individual needs of all my students. By providing the students with structure and a classroom which all students are supported and accepted their will be an increase in the learning that will take place in the classroom. I will learn how my own cultural background affects the student s beliefs, values, and expectations within the classroom. The most rewarding aspect of working with diverse students will be learning about their heritage and backgrounds. America is made of so many different ethnicities that there is always something to learn. The most rewarding aspect of working with diverse students will be to see their personal growth and to see them develop into productive citizens. Group 4 response: Diversity in the classroom means that I have the opportunity to work with unique individuals. It means I come in contact with students of different genders, different races, different cultural backgrounds, different socioeconomic levels, and different religious beliefs. I consider diversity a blessing and a challenge. As a future educator, I am daily striving to better prepare myself for the teaching profession. I have to consistently remind myself to step back from situations in order to reevaluate them in a non-bias manner. By personally reflecting upon my practice, I can more fully appreciate the differences I see among my students. Diversity in my future classroom will mean always striving for a greater sense of community by emphasizing our commonalities, yet celebrating our differences. I will seek to promote the value and welfare of all human beings within the classroom environment by making class resources available to every student. I will ensure to the best of my ability that my class resources equitably, beautifully, and sensitively represent a wide variety of cultures, genders, ethnicities, professions, religions, languages, family units, races, economic backgrounds, and abilities. Diversity in the classroom to me, means that every student, regardless who they are, what they are or where they come from, they have an opportunity to get an education. My perspective is that every student deserves all that I have to offer as a teacher. Gender, race, cultural backgrounds, socioeconomic status, and religious beliefs will not impact my view of each student as an individual person, but it will impact my teaching objectives and how I can meet each student's needs as a learner. I want to learn about students and their backgrounds to better understand their learning needs. For me, this is truly what diversity is all about working to supply every single student with the same resources and opportunities for achieving their personal excellence; while,

5 simultaneously, celebrating and recognizing their unique qualities. My ultimate goal is for these values to be so instilled within the hearts of both the students and the educators alike that the philosophy will extend beyond the educational setting in order to empower every student, regardless of their differing abilities, with the confidence he or she needs in order to live a successful, productive, and meaningful life. Becoming an African-American male teacher, I feel I would be able to bring a different view and a type of attitude that students of color, different nationalities or races may understand how important it is to get an education. Watching students grow and succeed as life-long learners is the most rewarding part of teaching, no matter the student and the diversity he or she brings! I believe diversity and inclusion go hand in hand. The benefits of an inclusive, diverse classroom are many and varied. The most obvious advantage to me, though, is the fact that whenever a student feels he or she is completely and totally accepted for who they are, that student is then free to become who they were meant to be. They are no longer held back by the things that used to make them feel self-conscious, less than perfect, or even, saddest of all, worthless. Every human being deserves to experience the wonderful power that comes from being loved, affirmed, and believed in. As a future educator, I want to find the talent each of my future children have hidden within them and challenge them to be proud of their gifts. I believe no matter how exceptional the learning need or how great the cultural difference may be, each child has something valuable to share with this world and I want to help them cultivate their gift so that this world can be the beneficiary of their excellence. We all know this world needs as much help and love as it can get. I want my future children to realize that whether or not they ever make the honor roll, who they are as a person is what is important above all else and they should never let anything or anyone get in the way of the attainment of the dream that has been placed inside his or her heart. Just that, the students would be diverse and everyday would probably be a learning experience and a rewarding one. Group 5 response: I believe that diversity encompasses all students. There is diversity of race, socioeconomic background, culture, religion, ability, learning style, etc. To me, diversity is individualism and we are all unique creations which are not duplicated. Each person's diversity and uniqueness must be respected. As our classrooms become more diverse, I believe that I as a teacher cannot have any preconceptions about any student or student group. Diversity is exciting and interesting. I will strive to learn as much as I can about my students' own unique perspectives and I am sure that we will all have much to gain and learn through the respect of others who are different than ourselves. My simple philosophy is that every student can and will learn to the best of their own abilities. In my position in the ESL area, I have already been rewarded by working with diverse students. All students are different, yet they are all human beings with the same desire to be

6 treated well and respected. Diverse students have so much to share and respond well to teachers who are interested in them. I look forward to continue working with many different students in my career and will be rewarded with what they have to teach me about themselves. Group 6 response: When first encountering the word "diversity," classrooms filled with faces representing various racial &/or ethnic backgrounds typically come to the forefront of your mind. Diversity is FAR less superficial however. In terms of effectively educating America's youth, the primary definition of diversity must encompass students dynamic learning styles. A teacher s ability to accurately gauge & reflect on the educational needs of every student & vary instructional approaches accordingly knowing when to use cooperative learning, pair & share, independent study, class presentations, portfolio assessments, traditional assessments, etc. is critical to student success & exceedingly more complex than simple memorization of student demographics. Diversity means there is a variety within the classroom. Diversity can be cultural, ethnic, social class, religion, and learning ability or learning level. Diversity can be an effective teaching tool within itself if the teacher utilizes the diversity appropriately and effectively. Allowing the students to accept each other s diversity is one major lesson to learn within the classroom. Teachers should also understand the challenge at hand when teaching a diverse classroom because all students bring their own differences to the classroom and should be respected as individuals. Teachers should try to unify their class, but never destroy the individuality by instilling uniformity. Diversity in the classroom means one thing to me. Learning style diversity is the most important diversity that a teacher needs to address in the classroom. Planning instruction to meet the needs of the students will help ensure the students success in the subject matter. Armed with the knowledge that diversity is not the superficial, extrinsic term with which most are familiar, I am better equipped to be a highly effective teacher. Rather than focusing on students physical differences, I focus on individual student & class learning modalities, adjusting activities as appropriate. In short, the more varied your instructional approach, the greater your chance of meeting the intrinsic needs of your students the greater your chance that students will experience true learning. My perspectives will allow for a good learning experience for all students regardless of their differences. Students will feel safe and respected and able to maximize their learning as a result. As a teacher, I will also provide a learning experience for students to observe how to respect differences and learn from others who are different than self. Most people think of diversity in the form of race, religion, cultural, etc. As I said above, I think the most notable diversity in the classroom is learning style diversity. However, realizing that diversity may have many meaning, I believe that each student is special and our uniqueness can be celebrated and shared in the classroom. I think my perspectives on diversity will encourage students to appreciate each person for his/her own special qualities, acknowledging that we are all different, regardless of race, religion, culture, etc. I will be able to teach this to the student through my own actions and how I incorporate these ideas into instruction.

7 Additionally, by addressing learning style diversity, the students have the best opportunity to thoroughly learn the material presented. You must realize that you don t know everything. If you haven t come to this realization yet, your students will be happy to point this out if no one else does. This is the most rewarding aspect of being a teacher; you continually learn along with & from your students. As you encounter an increasing number of student s learning styles & personal experiences, you become better equipped (both personally & professionally) to meet the needs of a much broader spectrum of your fellowman; you can build upon your prior knowledge to better present lessons from an even more diverse instructional toolbox. Never forget, however, that you ALWAYS have more to learn. As a white male, I enjoy diversity in the classroom and the opportunity to show a diverse classroom that I respect others who are different than myself and will instill in students that a productive society is one that is accepting of diversity. Teaching these students how to be productive citizens in a diverse society is one of the most important challenges a social studies teacher has. When students achieve respect of others no matter what their ethnicity, ability, intelligence, color, religion, or creed. From the perspective of planning instruction, I think the most rewarding aspect of working with diverse students is that my teaching will improve over time as I learn what types of activities enhance students learning. I also think that I will learn from the students in working with their diversity and promoting their self-worth in the classroom. Group 7 response: Diversity is a growing by popular demand. It is everywhere and it is everything. Many people are simply unaware of its many disguises. In our education courses we learn about the nine different ways diversity can be displayed in a classroom. The students, the staff, the course materials, etc. are all included in the word diversity. It is important to raise awareness to our students the many forms of diversity and not to be judgmental rather understanding. To me, diversity in a classroom encompasses a wide range of: socio-economic statis, learning styles, intellect, nationality, ethnicity, religions, age, gender, worldviews, and work ethic. Limiting diversity to any one specific aspect or emphasizing one area over another contradicts the meaning of diversity and sets an individual up as a hypocrite. To me, diversity in the classroom means supporting every student in every situation. This can mean dealing with students who are lower academically than others, or those who are gifted. Dealing with diverse religions, and or belief systems is a large part of diversity in the classroom. Differing cultures need to be addressed and supported equally rather than always only supporting the culture the teacher feels most comfortable with. There are so many things that go under the topic of diversity in the classroom, but basically supporting every learner no matter what is the best way to define it. Classroom diversity is about seeing individuals instead of seeing a majority with a few that are different. So many times people search for the person whose skin color does not fit in or whose clothes are not quite the same as the others because of their family s income. Diversity, though, needs to be embraced and thought of as seeing the uniqueness of each student and what that adds to the class. Along with this comes the responsibility, though, to realize that

8 everyone is not comfortable with those who are different than them so we have to work to integrate respect. Diversity in the classroom is simply the idea that I will very rarely come across a group of students made up entirely of the same type of person. Each class brings its own challenges and adventures, but that is one of the things I look forward to the most. I can t wait to work with my students in a way that encourages growth. A lot of it is simply experience. Many students are going to have perspectives on things that I just won t expect or understand, but through my own experiences, I hope to find proper techniques to utilize with my students in order to truly promote a diverse classroom. My goals are to incorporate diversity in my teaching and learning. The world is changing and people are changing. Therefore, my perspectives are to use diversity to teach. I hope my students will become aware of diverse surroundings and want to learn more about them as I do. Diversity is not a negative happening. It is something that must be taught in order for our students to be best prepared for their futures. My perspective regarding diversity has been impacted through my own life experiences and teaching in Hong Kong, the Dominican Republic, and in many diverse areas within the United States. Diversity has shaped my own life. Through these experiences I have learned to be sensitive and understanding of the many aspects of diversity. I have been able to bring diversity into my current classrooms as well as cultivate the diversity within a given classroom. As I gain more and more experience I am becoming more aware of the different varieties of diversity and how I deal with it. I grew up in inner city and all of my peers were of different races, ethnicities, socioeconomic backgrounds and faiths as well as academic levels. I have found myself as a teacher catering more to the needy and doing less for students who are gifted or have fewer needs. As I gain more experience I know it will impact my teaching although I don t want it to. Diversity enhances the classroom experience. Due to my limited involvement with diversity so far, I have come to realize that teaching and learning must become multi-faceted. The key is variety! Also, along with diversity in the classroom, we all can learn from each other, including me, the teacher. Even though the same material is taught to everyone, it is perceived in as many different ways as there are students in the classroom. I hope to build on their different views to enhance the material and help everyone learn how to appreciate each other. Teaching and learning in my classroom will be as student based as possible. I believe that students learn best in a variety of learning environments, and as a teacher that embraces diversity, I hope to provide them with a comfortable setting in which to strive for math achievement. My beliefs about diversity will force me to differentiate my instruction to the fullest. It will also force me to be more prepared when asking questions or discussing topics. I might look at a problem a certain way and the student might be thinking something else, just based on his background or past experiences Learning and memories. So many stories and new knowledge can come just by interacting with diverse students. I think back to my experience in San Diego, California. I only spent 2 weeks with those students and I will remember them forever. I believe I learned more from them than they did from me. Comparing and contrasting their elementary schools with Ohio s elementary schools gives me a wide perspective of how different other schools are. Everyday I wish I could go back and learn more. I look forward to many more experiences in my teaching career by interacting with diverse students. The most rewarding aspects of working with diverse students is the opportunity to learn about their diversity. Whether it be the culture or gender difference, there is always something to

9 learn. It helps to widen your worldview and perspective. It also helps shape you as an individual as you take part of that diversity and incorporate it in your own life. You also become more aware of the world around you and the diversity it holds. I grew up in one of the most diverse environments there is and have learned a lot from that that I hope to be able to bring to my teaching profession. The most rewarding thing for me will be the fact that I will be able to help the students I always wished I could do something for. It will also be rewarding to be back in a place that is comfortable to me where I can make a difference in the lives of all of my students. Learning about another human being is always interesting, but when another human causes your perceptions to change about how you view different parts of life, all involved are better off. Even when people don t agree, just knowing where someone else is coming from is beneficial. I look forward to the fact that I will be able to appreciate many new views and perspectives in my life because I will work with many different, unique individuals each day and be able to form relationships with them! The thing I m looking forward to most about working with diverse students is the effect they re going to have on me. I know I will learn many things about each student s background and culture, and I plan to use this information to better engage my students in the learning process. I welcome the challenge of working with students who will be dissimilar to me. I believe that I am always learning as a student and as a teacher, so working with students who might see everything completely different from me is something that really intrigues me. I hope to continue to grow in my understanding of students and what I must do to reach out them. Group 8 response: Diversity is all the ways we see life. We see things in many different ways and many different situations effect how we make our choices. I have yet to see groups of people because diversity exists right down to the individual. Diversity in the classroom means challenges to see things from many different angles and perspectives. Diversity means several things to me. It is more than just race and color. A classroom is filled with social economic diversities, diversities of individual needs of the students, students' personalities, achievement levels and capabilities, and many more. To me diversity means having children in your room of different races, cultures, abilities, backgrounds, and social economic levels. It means that you have children with different needs and you need to aware of those needs so you can better teach them. Having a diverse classroom also means that you need to take steps to get to know your students personally and to help them get to know each other. Diversity to me means so much. I believe there is diversity within each person. Diversity is race, religion, family backgrounds, countries, language, gender, socioeconomic status and exceptionalities. I feel as though each person will bring diversity into my classroom. We all have had different life experiences and I believe that we can have a better understanding of life and a broader perspective on the world if we are willing to accept certain diversities. I am a firm believer that diversity should be celebrated to the utmost possibility. There is an entire world of different cultures and people. Who am I to say that my experiences and lifestyle is the best? I believe the atmosphere and the classroom display what a teacher values the most. By providing children with books and discussing diversity with the students this is a wonderful way to show the children how a teacher addresses diversity in the classroom. It means celebrating differences

10 and the uniqueness of every individual in the classroom. Whether gifted or not, I believe every child can bring a talent into the classroom. Diversity in the classroom is important to me because I feel students should understand equality, and the best way to promote that is through diversity. Emphasizing diversity through my lessons will help students to understand other gender, religious, race, and ethnic groups. Helping my students to understand will allow them to not pass judgment on certain groups and will promote them to see everybody equally. Diversity means not only a mixture of culture and races, but different learning styles and comprehension levels all combined into one learning environment. The teacher must meet the diverse needs of several students. One of the best ways to do so is to incorporate different learning style activities to meet the multiple intelligences of all students. Diversity can also be related to behavior. A teacher may have students that have behavioral issues that keep him/her from getting things completed, or even prevent others from getting things done, as well and a 4 point honor student in the same classroom. Socioeconomic backgrounds also contribute to diversity in the classroom. This impacts the classroom more than we know. Most students who come from lower socioeconomic backgrounds tend to do more poorly in school. I always have a wide range of socioeconomic backgrounds in my classroom and I can not believe their classroom performance differences. Diversity in the classroom means that each student brings their own set of unique qualities into the classroom. For example, diversity means, but is not limited to: Sex Race Nationality Religion Morals Learning styles Sensitivity Medical Home life Family makeup Likes/dislikes Attitudes and disposition

11 Diversity will create a very challenging and mostly tense atmosphere. Diversity is a road that information must take to get to the mind of the student. The challenge lies at trying to find that road. Being a teach requires me to learn how to see eye to eye with a student in order for them to see what I see and vice versa. As a teacher, my job is to try to meet the needs of the individual students in the class. I want the students to be able to do their best in everything they do, whether that is getting the children the extra help that is needed or extending their capabilities. The more you focus on the diverse needs of your students the better they will learn. By focusing on their needs as individuals you will make each child feel valued and special. If you do not recognize that your students have diverse needs your students will not have the best opportunity to learn what they need to. Your perspective could determine the atmosphere of your classroom. I believe that one way children learn is my modeling. Therefore, if I can model to them by showing an appreciation for cultures and diversity that might be foreign to their own, I feel they will slowing be able to gain a tolerance for diversity. I believe that by providing books that are non - biased and that celebrate different types of diversity, children will be able to see that I value the differences in everyone. My perspective regarding diversity will help me to implement as many diverse lessons into my class as possible. I feel students should be taught in a lot of ways and I feel diversity should be viewed the same way. As I mentioned before I have always had a wide range of "diversity" in my classroom. To me diversity is so much more than a mixture of race and cultures. My view has been to be open-minded and willing to try new strategies when it comes to planning and instruction. I also treat all students in the same manner no matter what they grades, behavior, culture, race, etc. happens to be. My perspectives of diversity will affect my classroom through my planning, delivering, assessing, and reflections upon lessons and situations. It will mean that each student is approached fairly, and that does not mean each student is approached exactly the same. It will mean that students must learn to appreciate and work with people who share similarities and have striking differences Overcoming challenges and obstacles. Also, learning something new. Working with diverse students will open my mind to new ideas on ways to teach and ways of thinking. They will show the other students and me different perspectives of looking at things. The students will help me become a better teacher. I believe that the most rewarding aspect of working with diverse students would be that challenge that it presents. When working with diverse students you have the opportunity to impact children in a special way; and if you focus on their individual needs you can make a difference in each of their lives. Also when you have a class of diverse students you have the opportunity to teach on many different levels and to children with different abilities. I believe that diverse students will bring many rewarding aspects. I have personally had the opportunity to work with ESL students. I taught in Puerto Rico. This was a wonderful experience for me to feel as a minority. It was such an enlightening experience for me. Teaching there was one of the best experiences of my life which won t be easily forgotten. However, since I think that each child brings diversity into a classroom, I believe that no matter where I am, I will be with diverse students. I am constantly working with children who have unique qualities to their individual lives. Children should not be punished because they are brought up in a family that is different than my own. I think the most rewarding aspect of working with children is valuing that they are unique and talented individuals who bring diversity into my classroom regardless of the backgrounds. It is that which helps them to be part of our diverse world. The most rewarding aspect of working with diverse students will be learning about them and their background. Also I feel it is an opportunity to break the mold and show them that I will treat them equal.

12 I love working in diverse settings, because I can see the entire spectrum of what is really out there in the real world. It not only prepared me on how to deal with diversity in the classroom, but also in my life outside of school. The more diverse the classroom the better informed and educated I feel to deal with any kind of situation or student I will come across. The most rewarding aspect of working with diverse students is the same rewarding aspect that you receive when working will ALL students. They impact your life, they mold your teaching, and they leave their individual handprints all over your heart. In my opinion, each student is diverse, each needs to be viewed and reflected upon, and each one is going to make teaching worth it. The most rewarding aspects of working with students is just that you have the opportunity to do what you have been called to do, everyday, and, while it is not a huge amount you get paid for it! Who could ask for a better job? Group 9 response: It means having students of different ability levels and skills; multiple levels of socio-economic means; students with various talents; diverse racial ethnicities; and the exploration of various thoughts and ideas, similar and dissimilar. A chance to interact with people of different cultures. A chance to learn from others. A chance to discuss personal experiences and relate to those you did not know you could. Being able to experience diversity in the classroom is very important. In my situation, I am unable to meet the criteria of experiencing diversity in or out of the classroom because there is no diversity in our local area. Without the opportunity of being able to work with diverse students in the classroom during field experiences and student teaching, I would be completely unfamiliar with how these students learn and interact with others. Diversity is always present. Diversity to me means that there are different ability levels, different cultural backgrounds and different family make-up. It also means that I need to meet the needs of each student, no matter how their diversity affects their learning. Diversity to me means children coming from varying ethnicities, cultural backgrounds, family types, and ability levels. All of these aspects bring very diverse students. Diversity means having a wide range of students with different interests and talents. Diversity comes in many different forms. In the classroom, diversity can be determined by ethnicity, gender, learning abilities, etc. I most often deal with diverse learners and their learning levels. I have many low level students who are in special education classes and I must format my lessons around those different needs. Students have multiple intelligences and learn in different ways. My teaching will incorporate audio, visual, role-play, and other such techniques to respond to the diverse ways students learn. Research has shown that minorities, especially Blacks, Asians and Hispanics, learn better when paired or placed in groups. Cooperative learning will therefore play an integral role in my classroom. Students will get a chance to sit together so that they can learn from one another throughout the school year. Students will get a chance to talk about their experiences if the opportunity rises. Being able to experience diversity within the classroom has allowed me to see the different learning styles, actions and reactions of how diverse students respond in the classroom. Without the opportunity of working with these students, I would feel uncomfortable just as they would, around me for the first time. Until students learn your actions and you learn theirs, the intensity level and uneasiness is too high to work with.

13 I will not be judgmental of anyone s abilities or where they come from. I believe in treating all students equal, so I don t foresee a problem with treating students equally My perspective regarding diversity will impact my teaching in the fact that I will modify my instruction to meet the needs of individual students. I feel it is important to know the interests and talents of each student. This will help to make the curriculum more meaningful. Teachers must be aware of how diversity affects all students. I am willing to do whatever is necessary to provide each student with all possibilities for success. This may mean that I have to adjust assignments according to different students or change the ways that I present information and lessons to different students. It is also essential that students understand that everyone is different that and that they must respect everyone, regardless of their diverse backgrounds. This will promote a fair, equal learning atmosphere in which all students feel comfortable being themselves. The exploration of diverse thoughts and opinions will be a huge reward, where students learn multiple perspectives that can widen the scope of their knowledge. Appealing to students' varying methods of learning will mean that learning will be achieved in my classroom because I am targeting many different avenues to get the students to absorb and learn the material. I can teach to those that do not know. I can learn from them about things that I may not know. Cultural differences can bring a lot to a classroom. It brings a lot of learning opportunities to the forefront. Seeing the different learning styles, capabilities of the students and the interactions between other students and the teacher will be very rewarding for everyone. Being able to learn from one another and grow stronger both individually and as a large group will only allow for everyone to feel more comfortable in the classroom. Having the experience of watching the students learn and grow from one another will be the most rewarding part of teaching in a diverse atmosphere. Diversity is the spice of life. The more diverse the classroom, the more real world experience we will be able to have in the classroom. I would feel that the MOST rewarding aspect of working with diverse students is that I ll be able to draw in new experiences and be able to use the diverse experience for a more enriching classroom environment The most rewarding aspect will be bringing in the students talents and interests. Each student brings in their own unique aspects to the classroom. It is good to have a variety of students to have a mixture of interests. The most rewarding aspect of working with diverse students is getting to know them on a more personal level and learning what drives them and helps them be successful. It is extremely fulfilling when a student who normally struggles and hasn t had much educational success finally understands a new concept and learns to understand what it feels like to succeed. This usually leads to them trying harder and wanting to achieve at a greater level. I also find it rewarding to work with ethnically and culturally diverse students to see the difference in values and learning more about their culture and letting them into mine! We can learn so much from one another! Group 10 response: To me, diversity in the classroom means a classroom environment in which multiple differences are represented. Diversity can be represented through race, gender, socioeconomic status, religion, learning abilities, or learning styles. A classroom that represents diversity exemplifies varying levels of differences among the students. Diversity to me is having students that are different in a variety of different ways such as: from a different ethnicity, socioeconomic status, culture, and etc.

14 I think diversity is often thought of as a racial difference, but I feel that it is much more than that. Students vary among sex, religion, ethnicity, nationality, exceptionality, beliefs, values, morals, learning differences, experiences and background. These factors and still others are what contribute to student diversity. Diversity means that there is a mix of students in the classroom. While this can mean that there is a mix of different cultures, races, ethnicities, etc., I also believe that it is a mix of learning styles and abilities. While I am teaching a predominantly Caucasian class right now, I can still see diversity in their learning and the way they interact with others. Diversity in the classroom means celebrating differences. It means the chance to incorporate lifelong learning into students everyday lives. Diversity means the chance to embrace and learn about differences. Diversity gives the teacher a chance to differentiate and try all kinds of assessment types. Diversity allows students to be proud of their differences. Diversity is the classroom means to me, that I have a wide variety of students in many different aspects. I may have students with different races and/or cultures, but it is also important that I have students with different learning styles, abilities, interests, and experiences. All these things can affect the diverse make-up of a classroom just as much as different cultures and races can. Diversity means different. Everything, everyone is different. Diversity in the classroom brings a variety of students, each with his or her own unique background, and mixes them together to create a shared learning atmosphere. The variety of students is what makes each class unique; no one class is exactly alike. Different opportunities are available amongst different classes; also, the diversity is what makes life in the classroom an interesting one. Different learning styles, different cultures, different prior knowledge, different ethnicities--all bring diversity to the classroom and are important to the learning process. Diversity in the classroom to me is differences among students. These differences can be race, culture, learning styles, backgrounds, home-life, etc. It is different students from different walks of life coming together in a uniform environment and learning both together and from one another. Diversity impacts my teaching by the fact that it requires me to create student-centered lessons, to differentiate each lesson that I present, and to be sensitive to the differences that my students may have in my class. In a diverse classroom setting, it is important for the teacher to always be focused on his or her students. Diversity creates a variety of needs that need to be met for each student to learn, so therefore it is the responsibility of the teacher to educate each student that will allow them to be as successful as possible. My perspective on diversity is that everyone is different and yet similar to all of their classmates and therefore every student should be valued. This will impact the teaching and learning in my classroom in that I will incorporate these differences into the lessons to aid in the creation of tolerance and understanding. The most important way diversity will impact my teaching and learning in the classroom is that each person will be valued for these differences. My students will be taught that their individuality is what makes them each a unique and special person. All aspects of my students' diversity will also impact how and what is taught within my classroom. Interests, needs, and background brought to a single lesson will vary. Each child should be acknowledged for what they bring. Students can also be a resource for the classroom. Currently, I have a student from China and a student from Belgium. When we have studied particular continents throughout the year, both students have been excited to share about their nationality, experience and culture. The other students also become more enthralled when a classmate has experienced these places first hand. Because of the diversity in classrooms, I have and will be using differentiated instruction to try to reach all learners. It is also important to get to know what makes your students diverse and unique from each other.

15 My perspectives regarding diversity impact teaching and learning in my classroom greatly. Thanks to my university s large array of diversity opportunities, I have had the chance to be placed in a variety of settings. Through these experiences, I have been able to use my experiences in diverse settings and share with fellow teachers and students. I think that my attitude plays a large role in incorporating diversity into my own classroom. These experiences have taught me all about meeting the needs of children, spending extra time out of class working with students who are completely lost, etc. Learning in my classroom will take place at all times; there are always things to be learned in this world. We live in the melting pot of the world, everyday we are given the opportunity to learn something new. I believe diversity is important and should be glorified. It impacts my teaching by challenging me to think outside the box, and provide a variety of activities and lesson ideas to suit my different ability level students and my students with different learning styles. As far as student learning is concerned, diversity affects them positively. I think students in diverse classrooms can learn just as much from their peers as they can from their teacher! Understanding where diverse students come from and being able to see their point of view and ways will be very rewarding. This really impacts professional development and gives teachers great experiences and opportunities to learn from their students. I feel that it will aid me in differentiating my lesson plans. I need to be able to meet each student's needs, and with a variety of students I need to be able to cater to their differences. I need to incorporate different learning styles, materials, and cultures to reach each student. The only way that diversity will impact my classroom is through my awareness. I will be aware of where students come from and what sensitive issues are. I think that teachers need to be careful not to push diversity too much because it can bring up differences among students that they do not even notice. It is a great tool for students to learn. Personally, the most rewarding aspect of working with diverse students is seeing a group of students with differences coming together to reach a common goal. As a teacher in a diverse classroom, I want my students to look past their differences and see their similarities and use those to their advantage to help each other succeed in my classroom. The most rewarding aspect of working with diverse students is having the ability to make an impact on the way students see and interact with the diverse people in the world around as well as how they value people from different walks of life. The most rewarding aspects of working with diverse students would be to know that they value themselves and feel valued by others for their unique differences. Diversity enriches the whole classroom. The teacher can be taught new things as well as the students. It is also rewarding when other students are taught to be open minded because of the enrichment. It is rewarding to work with diverse students because, while it may take a while to reach some of them, once you do, you feel like all your effort has been worth while. It is also interesting to hear about life and school from different perspectives. One of the most rewarding aspects of working with diverse students is a chance to learn new ways of life, religious customs, importance of a variety of rituals, etc. It will teach empathy or the importance of embracing differences in the classrooms. Diversity helps to make a better rounded student in the long run. Students get the chance to take what they have learned/ experienced in their classes and adapt or help make the world a better place with all their knowledge. Understanding where diverse students come from and being able to see their point of view and ways will be very rewarding. This really impacts professional development and gives teachers great experiences and opportunities to learn from their students. The knowledge that I gain will be the most rewarding aspect. I know that I am here to be a teacher, but I must not close out the fact that I am still learning. I can learn something new from my students each day, if I listen and pay attention. I feel it helps me to think outside the box, and explore my creative side to create lesson plans that cater to each student.