Celebrate Diversity in Education

Diversity takes on all different forms. It is a term that recognizes every person’s differences, whether it is religious beliefs, intellectual and physical abilities, learning styles, cultural identities, sexual orientation or gender orientation. It also recognizes differences in prior knowledge, life experiences and social backgrounds. Everyone has their differences and as an educator, I need to look for ways to celebrate these differences in my own classroom. As I develop lessons, it is my responsibility to acknowledge the diverse backgrounds of my students and provide rich learning opportunities for my students to discuss and share cultures, perspectives, customs and languages. Embracing diversity in the classroom requires the teacher to be flexible in their approach to teaching. It also empowers students, makes learning meaningful and develops a sense of community within the classroom. Diversity is the most valuable learning tool for students and the teacher.

Recognizing diversity in my classroom can provide students with a powerful voice. I believe that their voices should be heard and each student should feel like they have a place in my classroom. This is how I want to celebrate diversity with my students.