Blog E

As a student in Belfast Maine, I found that there was not much diversity in our town and school. Most of the students that went to Belfast were middle-class to poor white Caucasian people. There were very few African Americans, Chinese, Japanese, or Spanish people. Looking at other schools, I wish we had the diversity that other schools did because you can learn so much from other’s cultures. When I came to Farmington, I met a couple people from different cultures. I think this is important because you are given an opportunity to see what other people in other countries are like. They have different manners, different ways of talking and have had many different experiences, even in school. One of my best friends from Farmington originates from Japan and she is amazing. She has a very different way of looking at the world, which is very refreshing. Always polite, her culture has taught her to be empathetic to others and to look at the positive. I think that diversity is important because we can learn things from other cultures.

I believe that diversity is important because it teaches students to respect others that are different from them. It makes them listen to new ideas and they have to learn how to get along with people that they don’t usually hang out with. Sometimes we can learn from people from different cultures. My friend from Japan makes me want to better myself. Her culture and upbringing as made her a friendly, kind and caring individual. She always sees the positive side and is an incredibly hard worker, a trait that is seen more and more from people that come from Japan. I try to learn from her and work hard, and try to be optimistic like her. Her culture has affected her and because she is my friend, it affects me as well.
I know that in this day and age, there is going to be much diversity in the classroom. As more and more students migrate to the United States and from different backgrounds, it would be stupid to assume that you are not going to have different races and cultures in your classroom. In order for everyone in my class to succeed, I must create an environment where everyone feels comfortable and is not scared because they are different. Everyone must feel supported and welcomed. One way to make feel comfortable in the classroom is to dispel any stereotypes you or your students have developed. Do this by showing how different everyone is and how you cannot judge a person simply by the color of his or her skin or by the place they were born. Play games to show what your students have in common (for example, ask different questions such as, what is your favorite color etc).

When these students are in the classroom, I will make sure that they know that their comments and opinions are wanted and are valued. I want my students to participate in class discussion and by creating a safe environment, I hope that students will feel free to voice their opinions. For students that do not speak English or English is not their first language, I will try to help. When there are tests, I will help these children, reading to them the questions and answering any questions that occur from the reading. I will also offer help outside of class for any students that are struggling with the language. I will hold discussions in small groups, so that students can cooperate with each other. Furthermore, I will also try to encourage other students to learn about the diversity in the classroom by giving assignment and teaching in class about these cultures and will show them what each culture has to offer us.