Despite much discourse and research, a central question in preservice teacher education continues to evoke much debate: What do teacher candidates require to become effective teachers? The answer is not simple. The answer is as varied as the countless perspectives that encompass the history of pedagogy. Although there may be no specific answer to this essential question, just as there is no one superior teaching model or one type of student, there is a professional area of knowledge and skill that should permeate all preservice education programs - multicultural education. This field which prepares teachers "for the social, political and economic realities that individuals experience in culturally diverse and complex human encounters" (Sims, …show more content…
Cultural Competence – Teachers must gain the ability to comfortably function in an environment where they interact harmoniously with people from different cultures. Teachers with cultural competence (a) cope effectively with the stress of dealing with the unfamiliar, (b) easily establish rapport with other, (c) sense and understand other’s feelings, (d) effectively communicate with people from diverse backgrounds, and (e) respond appropriately to miscommunication. These are complex skills that require both knowledge and experience in cross-cultural settings. (Zoch, 2017). Few education students report personal experience in culturally diverse settings. To be effective and equitable teachers, preservice teachers must appreciate and understand diversity. This appreciation stems from direct contact from culturally diverse groups. (Zoch, …show more content…
Korn-Bursztyn and Bursztyn (2002) indicated that teachers lacking a multicultural education are inadequately prepared for the reality of a multi-racial society and tend to have low expectations for minority children. Teacher educators must ask themselves to what degree their teacher preparation programs (a) promote increased cultural self-awareness, (b) develop a recognition and appreciation of diversity, (c) promote cultural competency, and (d) prepare teachers to work effectively with a diverse group of students and parents.
Teacher education programs that promote multicultural education is a necessity. It simply is not a matter of preference, it is a necessary knowledge and skill. As the century progresses, our nation becomes increasingly reliant on minorities, immigrants, and white women for almost 90 percent of its work force (Ruddy, 2008). As a nation, we simply cannot afford to under-educate such a large portion of the
The article points to Black teachers having cultural similarities as well that can build an immediate feeling of trust and for black students to feel safe. Furthermore, they convey a sense of familiarity for those students which transpires as additional responsibilities for Black teachers to take on at their work where other teachers may not feel they can fulfill in the same way. Mentioned in the article was also the fact that many Black teachers understand the hardships Black students face and showed empathy but also held
One of the reasons I chose to the book Other People’s Children by Lisa Delpit was because I want to be aware of the stereotypes and prejudices this books might uncover that I had and didn’t know I has. Teaching in a DLI program there is big diversity in our school and community. I want to be able to be culturally competent and be able to eliminate my cultural assumptions. I want to be able to understand where my students are and families are coming from so I can adjust my teaching methods and strategies. I thought it was very interesting how in her introduction she talks about how the educational system in this country is more focused on the standardized tests, scripted lessons and mandated classroom management strategies that they seem
(pg.80) Acknowledging and embracing a student’s racial or ethnic background is important, but it is just a piece of the educational puzzle. Effective teachers must be culturally responsive, with fine-tuned classroom management skills, and high expectations for all their students. It is crucial for an effective
The first two chapters of this book deal with the mindset that we as teachers must have in incorporating the framework and pedagogy into our classrooms. In becoming a culturally responsive teacher you must look at validation, affirmation, building, and bridging. In validation, we have a responsibility to our students to legitimize their culture and language. In being a teacher, rapport I with your students is critical in your success for reaching your students.
Recruiting and keeping teachers is difficulty, but attracting minorities into the profession is extremely difficult. As an African American teacher, I have a unique perspective on the topic of recruitment. My first year teaching I taught in a predominately white school, I was the only black teacher in the school luckily the assistant principal was also black and I was able to talk with her about specific things. Over the years, I have taught in four different schools in four different states, in three of the four schools I was the only minority teacher in the school. I have been at my current school for twelve years and during that time the number of African American teachers has increased to eight.
According to Voight’s, Hanson’s, O’Malley’s, and Adekanye’s study, many black children reported of having less favorable relationship between their white instructors compared to white students, while black and hispanic instructors tend to have a steady report of positive relationship and attitude with their students from all races (Voight, Hanson, O’Malley, Adekanye, 2015). Moreover, in a sample from the Texas school districts, districts with more Hispanic and Black teachers have better success in their students’ academic performance for all races, compared to districts that have a larger number of white instructors (Voight, Hanson, O’Malley, Adekanye, 2015). This goes back to the discrepancies in a student-teacher relationship when both parties do not share the same understanding of each other’s background and cultures. The rift in the relationship is mended when a mutual understanding manifests between the two. Hispanic and Black instructors already have a similar background with the current students, which makes their attitude towards these groups more sympathetics and understanding compared to a white teacher who may had the mainstream
According to a Pew Research Center survey “among Hispanics ages 25 to 29, just 15% of Hispanics had a bachelor’s degree in 2013” (Krogstad). It is great to analyze the lack of Hispanics higher education in the United States and in the State of Kansas something that one cares about by using statistics and information about the racial gap in completion of a degree that explains the lower rates in Hispanics. Hispanics lower incomes contribute to the Hispanics lowest rates of a college degree completion in the State of Kansas. Lower Incomes The Central American immigrants’ low income contribute to the low rate of Hispanics college degree graduates in the State of Kansas.
courses in college that have opened up my mind to the issue. The more information I learn about this issue, the more surprised I am that our society still exhibits bias, because as much as the United States preaches about equality, it appears as if society has segregation in minor ways. Although the debate between whether there are biased questions on the SATs or not seems to favor that there aren’t by popular opinions, there is still biased behavior occurring in school systems that prevent certain groups of students from getting the proper resources needed. Because I would like to work in an low-income area, which most likely would contain minorities, as a teacher I would make the effort to help those students get the sufficient help needed. This motivates me to become a part of the education field, because caring teachers are much needed in area like this.
2.2.5. Cultural diversity in Classroom: There are various cultural differences that teachers are likely to come across culturally diverse classrooms including Gender, Age, Cognition, Norms, beliefs, Primary language, Exceptionality, Cultural heritage, Socio-economic status, Opinions, ideas, Attitudes, Expectations, Behavioral styles, Geography, Learning styles, Communication Styles, Decision making styles, Ways of Communicating Non-verbally, Ways of Learning, Ways of Dealing with Conflict, Ways of Using Symbols and Approaches to completing tasks etc. According to Pratt-Johnson (2005), there are six basic cultural differences that teachers are likely to encounter in the culturally diverse classroom. Familiarity with these differences will begin
To resolve these relating to segregation and educational inequity, educators must face racism upfront. Educators have to confront their own, sometimes unmindful, racism, and then move toward integration that will lead to a better cure of racism or at least a prejudice reduction. Important aspects of a multicultural curriculum include critical thinking, emotional intelligence instruction, character, moral education, peace education, service learning, antiviolence education, and the comprehensive of education etc. Sandra Parks, a successful educator, believes that by adapting the curriculum and by addressing expressions of racism, schools can help students improve to by understanding and dealing with other people, of peoples color and cultural differences. She believes that teachers have to show respect towards their students, their families, and their students' cultural backgrounds.
A teacher is no longer the source of learning, rather a facilitator of learning. As a teacher I should know my student and understand that all students possess diverse backgrounds, by knowing your students, I will be able to decide which teaching style and strategies are needed to maximize their learning. I strongly believe it is vital to encourage the integration of culture, ethnicity, and life experiences into personal and corporate learning. I believe it is important to develop and implement innovative strategies in teaching. I feel that student learning is enriched and confidence increased with the utilization of
Academic Summary of “Acting on Beliefs in Teacher Education for Cultural Diversity” By Gay (2010) The article “Acting on Beliefs in Teacher Education for Cultural Diversity” by Gay (2010), who is a Professor at University of Washington in Faculty of Education, focuses on educating teachers for cultural diversity in classroom environments, which is frequently discussed but not a well-developed topic. According to Gay (2010), the society we live in has a huge impact on our lives, although we try to ignore or minimize its effect on educational area. There is a huge Eurocentric emphasis in the educational setting that affect students from culturally, ethnically and racially diverse backgrounds, and because of this she thinks that some major changes
IDEA lists three ways of being culturally skilled in the classroom. This includes the teacher being culturally alert in the class to connect the gap of learning about other ethnicities, learning to communicate to students in unwritten and non-vocal styles, and know the different views of the cultures, for example, skin-to skin contact, no communication, the clothing of the student, and simple gestures. This is important in my eyes because my school alone is very diverse, and I had my share of teachers that did not respect a certain students religion or culture. This upset me and made me want to learn more about different cultures and religions. It also leads me to want to work harder to become more culturally aware, and diverse for my future students and willing to do what I can to break down barriers that may be created by students of different cultures or religions.
Through diversity training, teaching students at a young age the importance of diversity, and applying new ideas to the classroom, students will see a positive change in themselves and the world around them. Conflicts will always arise in public schools, but the conflict between races seems to be more challenging. Teachers should be aware of the diversity in the classroom and
The purpose of this essay is to identify how important it is to have a diverse classroom setting. Students from all over the world enter the 21st century classrooms bringing a little bit of home with them. It is crucial that teachers are aware of what is happening and educate themselves in how to reach a student. Children are similar but different at the same time. Students learn in many different ways like for example observing, listening, demonstration, speaking and etc.