Why Understanding Classroom Diversity Is Important

“It is time for parents to teach young people early on that in diversity there is beauty and there is strength.” – Maya Angelou

There has never been a time where understanding classroom diversity is so crucial. Whether it be cultural diversity, racial diversity, or others, every teacher needs to understand and accept these differences. Classroom diversity means recognizing that all the people are unique in their own way.

In order to approach diversity, you first have to understand how you feel. Do you have any biases that are purely cultural? Racial? Religious? If you struggled with any of these questions, it’s time to really dive in and see why you feel the way you do and to begin to understand how you feel. Biases can be barriers that prevent our teachers and students working together effectively and may foster creative and innovative ideas. Being aware of your own behaviors and motivations is the first step in successfully managing a culturally diverse classroom.

While we understand that most people do hold certain biases on some level, those who can replace these biases with an appreciation and tolerance will in turn promote student success. As all classrooms are multicultural, working toward respecting all members of our classroom, school, and district is simply a necessity. In order to encourage, value, and promote diversity we recommend that teachers take time to learn about their students’ various backgrounds, interests, and more. By doing this, you’re not only learning more about your students, but you’re taking the next step in being able to accept and understand various types of diversity. Learning how to communicate with students, parents, teachers, and staff gives you a way to approach classroom diversity openly and with less bumps in the road.

As a teacher, making your classrooms a sa

fe, open space by promoting fairness and dignity gives your students the opportunity to grow exponentially. You will want to implement teaching and learning strategies that develop a positive relationship with students.

With the Virtual Substitute Teacher Training course provided by the App-Garden University, each substitute will be trained on the importance of understanding and accepting classroom diversity. We believe all students deserve a positive and meaningful education experience, regardless of their background or culture. Set up a product demonstration with one of our sales representatives today to learn more about what this product can do for your district and help your substitute teachers be prepared to address diversity in the classroom!