Running head: DIVERSITY STATEMENT OF INFORMED BELIEFS

Diversity Statement of Informed Beliefs

Franco, Kelsey
Instructor: Dr. Egbert
EDUC 204: Families, Communities, and Culture

DIVERSITY STATEMENT OF INFORMED BELIEFS

Abstract
This essay will explore the authors perspective on what it takes to be an effective teacher. Two
theorists will be discussed in support of the authors views on what they feel is important
methodology when leading a classroom. There will be a statement of informed beliefs that will
assist the authors claims on what schools should provide to enhance education. The essay will
consist of four sections: All Students Can Learn, Students Social Ecology Theory,
Discrimination and Learning, and Equitable Education for all Students. The author will support
their beliefs with required terminology.

DIVERSITY STATEMENT OF INFORMED BELIEFS

Statement of Informed Beliefs

Each student is unique in their own way. Children have differences that are specific to
them. These differences consist of how they interpret material, what interests them, as well as
what aspirations they may have for themselves. It is important for teachers to foster these
differences through being aware of ethnic and cultural backgrounds of each child within the
classroom. An educator who is aware and understands how to enhance education regardless of
unique differences will be an effective teacher. Every child deserves an opportunity at equitable
education, and it is the teachers job to create an environment that promotes this concept.
All Students Can Learn
All students learn in a specific way that is not always the same as their peers. Its
important to find ways to foster these differences. This can be achieved through being aware of
each childs learning style, which is the constant pattern of behavior that an individual seeks to
gain educational experience. Being aware that some students may benefit from hands-on
experiences, while others may grasp more knowledge through lecture and reading allows for a
platform of academic success for each child. One way I will guarantee that each child learns is
by guiding and instructing all of my students in a way that supports their individual zone of
proximal development, concept that helps facilitate each students personal capacities to reach
their full potential; a theory created by Lev Vygotsky (As cited in Berns, 2010, p 220). Ways I
will incorporate this concept in my teaching will be through exposing my students to appropriate
independent and collaborative activities that integrate each of the differing learning styles, while
enhancing my students overall retention of material.
When trying to achieve successful academic growth of each child it is important to keep
in mind that each child has contrasting forms of socialization, which is outside of school that is

DIVERSITY STATEMENT OF INFORMED BELIEFS

diverse and impacts the childs cognitive development, social abilities, and character. Due to this
outside influence, I will plan the structures of my lessons to include diversity within the
curriculum to ensure equality is being promoted. I will make sure all material being provided to
my students are within the boundaries of a developmentally appropriate curriculum, which
actively integrates active, hands-on, age-appropriate, meaningful experiences. At this level of
understanding I will structure my lessons by taking into consideration my students normal
growth patterns and respecting their individual differences.
To ensure that my classroom consists of a warm and enthusiastic environment that
promotes learning I will engage and reason with my students in an authoritative way. This
approach will allow me to create an atmosphere that doesnt over power my students, yet gives
them an opportunity to make the right choice on their own. It is important for children to develop
self-esteem, which is, value that one sees in themselves. One way I will aide in forming selfesteem within all of my students is through encouraging self-efficacy, a belief that any individual
can master a situation and produce a positive outcome.
Students Social Ecology Theory
The interrelationship between a students social ecology and their learning is extremely
important. According to Bronfenbrenner, the social context of individual interactions and
experiences determines the degree to which individuals can develop their abilities and realize
their potentials (As cited in Berns, 2010, p 17). A childs microsystem and mesosystem are
huge influencers of these interactions, which are commonly achieved through particularly small
settings such as family, school, peer group, and community. These links are so important that
theorists, Ginsburg and Bronstein, indicated that when a childs school and family interactions
are similar, in that they both encourage child participation, academic performance is enhanced

DIVERSITY STATEMENT OF INFORMED BELIEFS

(Berns, 2010, p 20). Thats why making connections between a students family and school
dynamics is critical in creating a positive impact on a childs development. Children are also
socialized indirectly through their exosystems, settings in which children arent active
participants in, but are effected by due to one of their microsystems (Berns, 2010, p 21). An
example of one of these influences would be parental income that effects what a child is able to
be supplied with influencing how they interact with their peers.
Knowing a childs background is important in being able to create a relationship that can
encourage growth regardless of any students unique situation. It is important to be aware that
childrens cultural and ethnic backgrounds have impacts on their social interaction and ability to
learn, making up their macrosytem, meaning more. When the teacher cares enough to be
informed on the background of their students the opportunity to aide in enhancing their education
is enhanced. Every socializing agent engages in preparing children for stability and change.
Meaning, it is important to encourage new ways of thinking and behaving. A teacher can achieve
this through actively trying to make connections between all of the differing influences that
impact the overall development of their students.
Discrimination and Learning
It is important that teachers do not discriminate against their students do to gender,
ethnicity, culture, or religious differences. Being able to be empathetic towards the variety of
diversity within the classroom will be a vital characteristic in becoming an effective teacher. All
students have the potential to succeed, regardless of their backgrounds, and it is the teachers job
to find ways to foster this potential in spite of personal views.
One way an educator can do this is through developing ways to incorporate the idea of
cultural pluralism, which is creating appreciation and understanding of various cultures. An

DIVERSITY STATEMENT OF INFORMED BELIEFS

example of this concept would be multicultural education, which supports learning experiences
that encourage interest in many cultures within the society rather than just in the mainstream
society (As cited in Berns, 2010, p 191). I will balance equality with diversity by being aware of
what information is being presented to my students by incorporating textbooks that support
diversity, and also by celebrating diverse holidays within the classroom in support of developing
acceptance.
There will be children in the classroom that may be affected by a disability, impairment,
or handicap. Providing accommodations, reconciling differences of experiences, will be central
in providing equitable education for these students. Creating an individualized education
program (IEP), a plan that is created in support of a student in need of modified educational
goals will be central in providing these students with equitable education. This is achieved
through communication between the school and family.
When working within the educational system it is important to not let perspectives create
barriers within the classroom. Every child deserves an opportunity at equal education. One way
I will assimilate this concept into my teaching style is through remaining aware of the
educational philosophy of inclusion, which is the educational philosophy that states all children
are entitled to participate fully in the classroom with their peers regardless of any differences a
student might have when in relation to their classmates (Berns, 2010, p 195).
Equitable Education for all Students
When dealing with a childs education there are many factors that influence the outcome
of how their desire for education is influenced. Divorce, poverty, and dual income families
dynamics have strong impacts on a students engagement in school. These family dynamics
within the home lead students to become at risk of developing negative development outcomes

DIVERSITY STATEMENT OF INFORMED BELIEFS

by increasing stress in children, anxiety, and even depression. I will make sure to reach out to
any student who may be dealing with a challenging situation, and find ways to help them work
through it. One way I will do this is through finding ways to stimulate resiliency, being the
ability to withstand and rebound from crisis or persistent challenges, impacting achievement
motivation.
I will make sure I provide equitable education for all of my students. I will accomplish
this through creating an environment of instruction, demonstration, practice, feedback, and
guidance. This teaching style is a model of the behaviorist theory of B. F. Skinner, known as
direct instruction curriculum, which is dividing learning into small progressive segments and
reinforcing mastery of them (As cited in Berns, 2010, p 173). Ensuring students are learning
through persistent behavior reinforcement and the formation of individualized instruction,
despite the differing backgrounds of students. It is also important for teachers to be able to
indicate how much knowledge a student is gaining. I will do this through authentic assessments,
being forms of evaluation of a real task that demonstrates mastery of intended concept.
It is important for teachers to be aware of who their students are as individual. When a
teacher makes it a priority to care about each of their students on an individual level a nurturing
environment will be created that is in support of student diversity. One form of harvesting
positive interaction amongst students can be illustrated through teacher sensitivity, used to enable
children to be tolerant and respectful of differences. Not only will I make sure all of my students
have the structure they need to be successful, I will also foster their love for learning by being
empathic, generous with praise, warm, and caring towards each individual.
Each child is affected by their own forms of socialization. It is important to be aware of
these influences and create an environment that all students can succeed in. Society has become

DIVERSITY STATEMENT OF INFORMED BELIEFS

more diverse than ever and this is illustrated within our school system. Therefore, it is important
now more than ever to provide equitable education to all students regardless of differences. Each
student deserves to receive an education that is in support of them reaching their full potential.

DIVERSITY STATEMENT OF INFORMED BELIEFS

References
Berns, R.M., (2010). Child, family, school, community: Socialization and support (9 Ed.).
Thomson Learning, Inc. Belmont, CA. and study guide.