"Understanding Diversity in the Classroom"

Growing up I went to a small school where we’ve all known each other since kindergarten. We were all from the same neighborhood and our parents all made around the same amount of money, we were considered the working middle class. My friends and I were lucky enough to have a good support team at home and to have teachers who cared about their students. We were never faced with ethnic or racial stereotypes and there was little diversity in our classrooms. According to Moreno, "socioeconomic status is one of the most powerful factors influencing student achievement" (Moreno, 37). Socioeconomic status is based on the economic, educational and occupational status of individuals (Moreno, 37). In my opinion, socioeconomics was a positive factor in my achievements as a student. I had a good home structure and support from my neighborhood, to help me reach my goals. However, not everyone can be as lucky as I was. Some students worry where their next meal is coming from or where they will be sleeping that night. These thoughts can affect a student’s achievement in school, for they will not be focused on learning. As teachers we need to be aware of the difficulties students could be having outside of school. If teachers have a better understanding for diversity in the classroom, it can help them "develop an open mind when interpreting students' thinking and behavior" (Moreno, 26).

                                                   Citation: "Globalisation." : Challenge 7. 2011. Web. 25 Apr. 2012. 

                                                       <http://hulyagirglobprof.blogspot.com/p/challenge-7.html>.

Diversity in the classroom doesn't stop with culture, race and ethnic differences. It could also be differences in learning styles or having learning disabilities. Because every student is unique, they all learn differently. Some might be visual learners, while others could be verbal learners. It is important for teachers to be aware of the different types of learning styles and which styles work best for students. Teachers should try to use every kind of style in their classroom, this way every student has the opportunity to get involved with the assignment. Learning disabilities can also be seen as diversity in the classroom. Students with learning disabilities are now considered "exceptional students". "Exceptional students are those who are identified as having special needs and receive few or no special services in the school" (Moreno, 49). When people hear the word "exceptional", they categorize these students as being intelligent, brilliant or geniuses, although they could be. Being an exceptional student means being out of the norm, they are not different from any other student, they just learn in a different way. Teachers need to be able to adapt their lessons to all kinds of diversities when it comes to teaching.