Bridget+Diversity

Read the [|Introduction] to the Diversity Toolkit Web page from the National Education Association. 1. Copy and paste a sentence or two that you really liked (agreed with, admired the verbiage, could empathize with, . . . ) in between the two quotation marks: " The concept of diversity presents both extraordinary promise and daunting challenges for education employee "

2. Tell why you picked those words: x Because diversity brings so much to the table in education- it opens so many doors, but so many people are opposed to walking through those newly-opened doors. x

3. Which of the issues did you have the most issue with and why?: * Similarities and differences among race, ethnicity, color, national origin, language, geographic location, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identification, age, physical ability, size, occupation, and marital, parental or economic status form the fabric of a society. * I had a good issue with this because with out all these things life would be pretty boring. It allows us to be part of a society that is as diverse as the people in it.

4. Which strategy (or part of a strategy) will be the easiest for you to carry out in your own classroom? ^ Seize opportunities to learn about people of different backgrounds, cultures and experiences—whether through a book, a film, or a conversation ^

5. Which strategy (or part of a strategy) will be the hardest for you to carry out in your own classroom //and why// ? Assess the diversity in your school and how students of different backgrounds are faring { Because it is difficult to always be aware of how students are doing, while also keeping track of how the are doing in correspondance with their background. }

Read the [|Cultural Competence for Educators] Web page from the National Education Association

How will you become culturally competent? By immersing my self in culture. This can be done simply by being around my students and asking them questions and gleaning information over time about their cultures. I can also do so by going to work shops, reading, and even perhaps traveling :) Where do you feel you are now in the journey to becoming culturally competent? I feel that I'm fairly culturally competent having lived in 3 different sections of the country. This has allowed me to explore 3 different, even if only slightly so, cultures. Living out west also opened the doors to hispanic and native american cultures as well. Two of my cousins are adopted, from Guatemala and Japan. Their parents take them to visit when they can so that they can still know and understand their first home's culture. By listening and talking with them, I learn more about their cultures as welll.

Read about [|Social Justice]. How do you think this information will impact you as a teacher? It will force me to take a deeper look into the forms of social justice that are prevalent today. It will also mean that I must always be aware of students, colleagues, and parents who may have and foster unacceptable oppression in any form. How will it impact your classroom? I must always be aware of how I present information, especially about Social Justice issues so that my students see that everyone is equal and deserved to be treated the same as everyone else. I also need to be aware of students who may harbor oppressive behaviors or feel that they are being oppressed.

Now work with your partner. Read your assigned Information Page from the National Education Association.
 * [|Class and Income]
 * [|English Language Learners]
 * [|Gender]
 * [|Race and Ethnicity]
 * [|Sexual Orientation and Gender Orientation]

Now go to [|Kerpoof] and create a story using one of the many tools available. Your characters should represent your assigned diversity dimension. Create a plot that has a conflict representative of one of the major issues as outlined on your NEA page. Pick one of the strategies and implement it in your story. Is there going to be a resolution? What will the ending be? Save your story to share with the class.