Heidi Schneider

October 27, 2016

EDU 371
Assignment #11: Students/families of different cultures
I hope to work in a school in Michigan. I dont plan on staying around this area, but plan
on moving into the Ann Arbor area to find a teaching assistant or paraprofessional job. I hope to
stay in a smaller school like I am currently in, but I would be willing to work in a larger school. I
hope to work either in a public or private school, and I dont have a preference of whether I work
in an urban, suburban, or rural school.
Working in Ann Arbor will bring about different cultures than I am currently used to at
Whiteford. Some of the cultures include:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

English Language Learners (ELL)

Students with Disabilities
Asian Americans
Arab Americans
Upper Social class

9 Important Things to Remember When Working with Parents and Students that are English
Language Learners
1. It is important to know assets and challenges of students that are ELL to avoid possible
discipline issues. (Engaging ELL Familes:20 Strategies for School Leaders)
2. Make the school a welcoming place for families and students who are ELL by
incorporating things from their culture throughout the school. (Engaging ELL Familes:20
Strategies for School Leaders)
3. Find personal connections with families of ELL students so they feel welcomed and
important. (Engaging ELL Familes:20 Strategies for School Leaders)

4. Value the students native language and encourage them to use it at home, while also
learning English as school. It shows that you value their culture. (Engaging ELL
Familes:20 Strategies for School Leaders)
5. Encourage parents of ELL students to be involved in the school and classroom, whether
its volunteering, utilizing parents skills and hobbies, or sharing their cultures with
others. (Engaging ELL Familes:20 Strategies for School Leaders)
6. Make sure to use visuals and body language to help ELL students understand and be able
to communicate with others. (What If They Dont Speak English)
7. Recognize that some parents of ELL students think of their childs teacher as an expert
and that the parents feel like their knowledge of their child isnt valid or beneficial. That
may be a reason why they dont receive the support they need at home, because the
parents believe the teacher is the only expert in their childs education. (Engaging ELL
Familes:20 Strategies for School Leaders)
8. Dont force ELL students to talk, as they may be unsure of their abilities or their culture
may value silence. Allow them to speak when they are ready and let them know their
knowledge, ideas, and opinions are valued in the classroom. (What If They Dont Speak
English)
9. Some families of ELL students may not value education and so they do not support their
child at home the way other families do. This will be important to keep in mind so you
know the reason behind the parents not offering support at home with homework and
projects. (What If They Dont Speak English)

Sources:
Engaging ELL Families: 20 Strategies for School Leaders. Retrieved October 29, 2016, from
http://www.adlit.org/article/42781/

What If They Don't speak Eng-Revised'4. (n.d.). Retrieved October 29, 2016, from
http://www.misd.net/Bilingual/resourcePDF/WhatIfThey.pdf