Amanda+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: " education should foster the values of appreciation and acceptance of the various qualities that pertain to people as individuals and as members of diverse populations. Examine your own attitudes and beliefs about people who are different from you " 2. Tell why you picked those words: x I think it is important for education to be aware fo the diversity that will engulf the schools. This needs to be accepted. I also think it would be important to examine your own attitudes to recognize whether or not you are accepting diversity. This may lead you into earning more about a subject or trying to change your attitude to help students and yourself learn.x

3. Which of the issues did you have the most issue with and why?: * I don't agree with bullying of students due to their sexual orientation. Everyone is their own individual and are allowed to like who ever they want. No one should be bullied for that.*

4. Which strategy (or part of a strategy) will be the easiest for you to carry out in your own classroom? ^ I think learning about diversity will be the easiest. You can get information about anything very quickly from all kinds of sources.^

5. Which strategy (or part of a strategy) will be the hardest for you to carry out in your own classroom //and why// ? {I think creating diversity awareness opportunities will be the hardest becuase not everyone in the school community may agree with me. It will take some time to be agreed on and created. }

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

How will you become culturally competent? Where do you feel you are now in the journey to becoming culturally competent? I will become more culturally competent by learning about each student's backgrounds and finding creative ways to incorporate it into their learning. My journey in becoming culturally competent is still small. I haven't gotten much opportunity to interact with a diverse group of students. I have started but would like to do more.

Read about [|Social Justice]. How do you think this information will impact you as a teacher? How will it impact your classroom? I will use this information to build an equal environment in my classroom. Everyone is on the same level when it comes to diversity. I will make sure to have rules that deal with diversity that my students must follow. Everyone should feel welcomed into the classroom. No one should feel inferior

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.