Diversity in the Classroom

 This is an interesting topic for me because I work at a private school where out headmaster is a black man. His family is also biracial. We have a diverse student body and teachers are of many backgrounds. One of teachers who is Chinese also teachers the language and they celebrate with Oriental theme in early January. Students also have option of learning Spanish. When I observe the spirt on campus it get the sense of an all inclusive atmosphere to students and adults of all backgrounds and orientation. We have a campus of exceptence. 

In my years of high school my experience was very different. I never recall seeing any students who was African American or of another ethnicity. I also do not recall much talk of the LBGT community as we hear of today. Furthermore, it was not a discussion brought about in my home. 

Regardless of what things I've learned or not from my childhood, I have an open mind. One of my own children recently disclosed they are transgender. If my child were in elementary or school these days it would be my hope that it would be an all inclusive community. I feel it is important for children to learn early about differences in others and acceptance for all. A part of me hopes that it is a fashionable step to ending what divides this country in the present. Maybe it just a bit of a whim. But did Martin Luther exclaim to having a dream himself? 

Just as the young Grace mentioned in the Ted talk video, I too feel it is important to acknowledge these individuals on a daily basis and not as a special day that comes but one a year. We are all different and we live our lives daily and not but just one day in a year. I feel all deserve the acknowledgment that our choices, backgrounds, what makes who we are etc are not to be kept hidden. To be proud of and not have a sense that we need to be ashamed of. 

To begin this process it must not only be taught at home, but in educating our teachers to implement these to out students. This is in undertaking that really takes a village.