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Running head: A DISPOSITION FOR DIVERSITY: TEACHING IN THE 21ST CENTURY.

A Disposition for Diversity: Teaching in the 21st Century

Keyi Liu
Wesleyan College

Author Note
This paper was prepared for Introduction to Exceptional Children, taught by Professor Patrick
Pritchard.

A DISPOSITION FOR DIVERSITY: TEACHING IN THE 21ST CENTURY.

A Disposition for Diversity: Teaching in the 21st Century
As the student population in American schools became high, students in schools became more
and more diverse. Diversity in schools means that there are different characteristics of students, and
they are unique in their own way. There is an educational report that has illustrated that diversity
includes not only race and ethnicity, but the range of visible and invisible factors that interact to form
individual and social constructions of identity (ASH Higher Education Report, 2012). Specifically,
students diverse identities and characteristics are regarded as they have different races, languages,
cultural backgrounds, learning styles, cognitive and affective disabilities and so on. Therefore,
diversity has always existed in schools. However, as a 21st century teacher, it is significant to
embrace these differences and let students learn from each other. Additionally, understanding the
diversity of students is also a meaningful way for educators and schools to work with specific
educational reforms to meet the needs of all students. Hence, teachers and schools have the
responsibility to respect diversity and strengthen a learning environment.
Various differences exist in todays schools. Thus, paying attention to these diversities in
classrooms becomes increasingly vital. For instance, a year ago I came to America. The differences
of language, culture, and learning style made it hard for me to tackle different problems. Sometimes I
could not fully comprehend my professors teaching. Fortunately, they understood how difficult it
was for an international student to use second language, and they tried to find some easy ways to
explain difficult problems for me. Combining with my personal experience, examining the
importance of diversity plays an essential role in teaching. It is also undeniable that diversity has a
great impact on education. For example, diversity in the classroom generates a more global
perspective of ideas. Accordingly, there are three specific issues to expound diversity, and they are as
follows:
1. How does a teacher show that she values and respects diversity in the classroom?
2. What are the dynamics of a diverse classroom?

A DISPOSITION FOR DIVERSITY: TEACHING IN THE 21ST CENTURY.

3. How can diversity strengthen a learning environment?
Investigating these three units has crucial effects on analyzing the impact of diversity in the 21st
century, and helping people who want to be teachers has a disposition for diversity.
How does a teacher show that she values and respects diversity in the classroom?
Teachers have a number of roles in the classroom. However, valuing and respecting diversity
are two of the important roles that they have to fulfill. Not only teachers, but students also have to
learn how to value and respect diversity. A teacher is one of the most important people in the school
and teaches students how to value and respect peers who have different races, learning styles,
disabilities and so on. As researchers Miller and Pedro (2006) have explained that children bring with
them a wide range of behaviors to the classroom and teachers have to shape these behaviors
appropriately to match what is expected in school and help students learn how to respect diversity (p.
294). Teachers can correct students behaviors and let them understand the meaning of respecting
their classmates. They also can create a good environment where each student feels valued and
respected. Thus, it is important for students to learn how to respect and value diversity in the
classroom.
Furthermore, as a teacher, it is also significant to respect the different identities and
characteristics of students in the classroom. For instance, taking time to learn each students
background, interest, and learning style. This is a means of having a better understanding of every
student and finding a specific method to help students. Moreover, the teacher should allow students
to do a lot of group work, so they can learn different beliefs and values from their classmates. This is
another way to teach students new cultures and languages, to share different learning styles, and to
respect diversity, regardless of ethnicity. During sharing and communicating with classmates,
educators also need to teach students that everyone has strengths and weaknesses. It is important to
take advantages of the strengths of classmates and learn their advantages. Also, teachers should care
about students unique strengths, weaknesses, and needs rather than treat them as generalized

A DISPOSITION FOR DIVERSITY: TEACHING IN THE 21ST CENTURY.

representatives of particular racial, ethnic or cultural groups.
Additionally, sometimes, a group of students may have learning, physical, cognitive, and
affective disabilities. As a teacher, one has to respect these special students and find proper and
educational methods to let students improve. For instance, teachers can frequently communicate with
special students and make a contact with their parents. According to Smith (2007), the concept of
disability can mean many different things to each individual and each family involved (p. 6). In order
to respect special kids, it is crucial to comprehend diverse perspectives of disabilities which help
educators to know human behaviors. While teaching in the 21st century, one should use multieducational methods to respect diversity in the classroom, and also teach students how to respect
classmates.
What are the dynamics of a diverse classroom?
A diverse classroom consists of different races, cultures, languages, learning styles and
learning disabilities. However, the role of teachers in diverse classrooms is to embrace all of these
diversities and make positive use of them. The difference of races is regarded as one of the most
important features in a diverse classroom. There is an increasing number of different races coming to
America to learn. As the authors Plessis and Bisschoff (2007) have investigated, universities
continue to attract a rich mix of racial and culturally diverse students (p. 246). So, in a diverse
classroom, students have more and more chances to communicate and share differences with fellow
students.
Learning style is regarded as another important feature in a diverse classroom. Determining
each students learning style has a very positive effect on teaching. A teacher combines many
learning styles and makes a positive use of these learning styles. It is also helpful for teachers to
create an environment which is conducive to learning. According to Chittom (2012), learning styles
are most often divided into three basic groups. There are the auditory learners, visual learners and
kinesthetic or tactile learners. In addition to these basic groups, there are some minor learning styles

A DISPOSITION FOR DIVERSITY: TEACHING IN THE 21ST CENTURY.

such as verbal, logical, social and solitary styles (para. 3). The author indicates that auditory learners
are good at listening. They do well with lecture and respond well to verbal instructions (para. 4).
Visual learners benefit from a variety of ocular stimulation. They process information according to
what they see and the images they have created in their mind (para. 6). Finally, kinesthetic learners
best learn through touching, feeling and doing. They can respond well to object lessons if they are
able to touch the object involved (para. 7). Although it is hard for teachers to combine each kind of
learning style, one has an obligation to help student engage in class and to create a good environment
for learning and sharing.
Apart from students, instructors are also diverse. The diversity of teachers affects students a lot.
The writers Plessis and Bisschoff (2007) illustrate that when we speak of diversity in the classroom,
we usually focus on the diversity of the students in the room. However, we often forget that the
teacher also brings a range of diversity issues to the classroom, and every teacher brings his or her
physical appearance and culture into the room at the same time as the students do (p. 246). Different
teachers also have different teaching strategies, beliefs and learning styles. Therefore, teachers can
impact students a lot and they also represent the diversity in the classroom.
How can diversity strengthen a learning environment?
It is undeniable that diversity has many positive effects on students learning, and it also
strengthens the learning environment. Everyone has their own cultural background. Various cultures
in the classroom help develop students cultural sensitivity. Meanwhile, it also gives students a lot of
chances to share their own beliefs and values with peers and learn from each other. The author
Jensen also expounds that diverse cultures strengthen the learning environment, by exploring
cultures and their differences and similarities, students develop an awareness of their own culture, as
well as the cultures of their peers; and when they are taught to understand and accept cultural
differences, they form a stronger sense of their own cultural identity (para. 1). It is beneficial for

A DISPOSITION FOR DIVERSITY: TEACHING IN THE 21ST CENTURY.

developing students engagement, and becoming more intellectual. Hence, the diversity of culture
plays a very effective role in strengthening the learning environment.
In addition, learning in a diverse environment is good for eliminating racism and learning
how to understand others. Haas (1999) has clearly explained: students develop the ability to
understand the ideas and feelings of others, which in later life makes them more likely to live in
racially diverse communities, maintain friendships with people of different races and be able to
function more effectively in an increasingly diverse workplace ( para. 5). This is good way for
students to know the group differences. Therefore, it is vital for teachers to embrace diversity in the
classroom and create an environment that is conducive for learning.
In conclusion, investigating and considering these three issues have positive effects on
analyzing the importance of diversity in education. As the student population in America is becoming
increasingly diverse, educators and schools have to have a better understanding of diversity.
According to diverse cultures, race, languages, learning styles and disabilities in students, it is
important to use multi-educational methods to meet all kind of students needs. Moreover, in order to
teach in the 21st century, one has to respect diversity in the classroom and teach students the
importance of respecting people. Everyone needs respect, but they also need to respect surroundings.
Furthermore, understanding the importance of diversity, educators also need to know what a diverse
classroom looks like and realize that diversity can strengthen the learning environment. All of these
ideas are regarded as very essential points in comprehending the importance of diversity in todays
education.

A DISPOSITION FOR DIVERSITY: TEACHING IN THE 21ST CENTURY.

References
Engaging Diversity Through Course Design and Preparation. (2012). ASHE Higher Education
Report, 38(2), 65-82.
Miller, R., & Pedro, J. (2006). Creating Respectful Classroom Environments. Early Childhood
Education Journal, 33(5), 293-299. Doi:10.1007/s10643-006-0091-1
Smith, D. D. (2007). Introduction to special education: Make a difference. Boston.
Plessis, P. D.,& Bisschoff, T. (2007). Diversity and complexity in the classroom: Valuing racial and
cultural diversity. Educational Research and Review, 2(9), 245-254.
Jensen, A. The advantages of diversity in a classroom. Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com/list_
7633499_advantages-diversity-classroom.html
Hass, M. (1999). Research shows diverse environment has education benefits. The University
Record.