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This website starts from the basics of this topic, explaining what cultural diversity really is. It also gives several examples of the different components of cultural diversity.

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1. Online Bachelor's Programs

2. Online Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education

3. Why Cultural Diversity and Awareness in the Classroom Is Important

Resource Articles //

Embracing cultural diversity can help you succeed as an educator.

American classrooms are becoming more diverse every year,* which means cultural diversity in the classroom is becoming an increasingly important issue for educators throughout the education system. Ignoring the increase in diversity is not a helpful response. Instead, educators are embracing diversity and fostering culturally inclusive classrooms designed to help every student succeed. You can do the same with your classroom.

What is culture?

Culture is a lot more than a list of holidays or food preferences or the language someone speaks. Culture is the framework around which we build our identity. It influences how we engage with the world, the perspectives we take, and the expectations we have. Every one of us has a culture, and most of us have identities built from multiple cultures. For example, we may consider ourselves part of the American culture, the culture of South Texas, the culture of children born to Mexican immigrants, the culture of people who enjoy comic books, etc.

When discussing cultural diversity in the classroom, we tend to look at cultural differences that have been historically ignored or marginalized. Your goal as an educator is to ensure you don't neglect a major aspect of a student's identity, and that you foster an environment where differences are accepted and understood, particularly if those differences have historically been ignored or disparaged.

What kinds of cultural diversity are common in classrooms?

No two students are the same, even if they share a lot in common. To foster cultural awareness, you need to consider all the different aspects of culture that can influence your students' perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors. Common cultural differences include:

Race
It's important to recognize the impact skin color has had on the broader American culture and how it can affect students' perceptions of each other and themselves.

Ethnicity
While ethnicity is sometimes used as a synonym for race, it is more accurately defined as the culture we derive from our nationality. Ethnic differences appear in all immigrant groups and can persist for generations. Understanding these differences can help you be attuned to your students' interests and outlooks.

Religion
While you know that not everyone worships in the same way-and that some don't worship at all-it's good to familiarize yourself with the ways religious traditions and requirements can impact your students' behaviors and free time.

Language
Language barriers should not be educational barriers. While you can't be expected to speak every language, you can be expected to make accommodations for those who speak English as a second language.

Economic
The economic situation of a student's family can greatly impact his or her learning. You should be aware of how economic pressures can lead to classroom stress as well as to issues with finding time and a place to study.

LGBTQ
A student's sexual orientation and/or gender identity can become a point of conflict in their lives. It shouldn't also be a point of conflict in the classroom.

How do you foster cultural awareness and sensitivity?

Express interest in diversity.
You can go a long way toward fostering a culturally inclusive classroom by demonstrating your own desire to be culturally aware. Ask students to share their stories and relate their cultural experiences to the lessons you're teaching.

Remain sensitive to differences.
Some students will be more forthcoming about their cultural differences than others. Before assuming a student is lazy or lacking ability, consider what cultural differences might be influencing a student's study habits and learning-and how you can adjust your methods and/or provide accommodations.

Maintain high expectations for all students.
Cultural diversity does not require you to have diverse expectations. You should maintain the same high expectations for all students. Yes, you may choose to make special accommodations for those students who need them, but you want all students to excel. Maintaining different expectations for different students can wrongly teach students that cultural differences determine educational abilities.

Teach a culturally inclusive curriculum.
In the past, American education has tended to focus heavily on Western European history and culture and on the stories of white Americans, particularly men. You should make a concerted effort to teach a broad curriculum that more accurately captures the world in its whole. By doing so, you can help ensure students don't feel as if their culture is unimportant or that their own contributions aren't wanted.

Where can you learn more about cultural diversity in the classroom?

If you're interested in studying how cultural frameworks affect classrooms, you may want to earn a bachelor's in elementary education. An elementary education degree can provide you with advanced knowledge of the ways cultural influences impact learning, and how teachers can better address cultural diversity in the classroom.

While earning a degree may seem daunting, you can make it easier by enrolling in an online university. An online education degree program in child development can provide you with the convenience and flexibility you need to earn your degree while continuing to work and take care of your other responsibilities. To create truly culturally aware classrooms, we need educators committed to embracing cultural diversity. You can put yourself on the path to becoming one of those educators by earning an online education degree in child development.

Walden University is an accredited institution offering an online BS in Elementary Education program. Expand your career options and earn your degree in a convenient, flexible format that fits your busy life.

*R. Klein, In 10 Years, America's Classrooms Are Going to Be Much More Diverse Than They Are Now, The Huffington Post, on the Internet at www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/05/07/classroom-demographics-2025_n_7175760.html.

Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, www.hlcommission.org.

Walden offers both state-approved educator licensure programs as well as programs and courses that do not lead to licensure or endorsements. Prospective students must review their state licensure requirements prior to enrolling. For more information, please refer to WaldenU.edu/educlicensure.

Prospective Alabama students: Contact the Teacher Education and Certification Division of the Alabama State Department of Education at 1-334-242-9935 or www.alsde.edu to verify that these programs qualify for teacher certification, endorsement, and/or salary benefits.

Prospective Washington state students are advised to contact the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction at 1-360-725-6275 or [email protected] to determine whether Walden's programs in the field of education are approved for teacher certification or endorsements in Washington state. Additionally, teachers are advised to contact their individual school district as to whether this program may qualify for salary advancement.

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Online Bachelor's Programs Online Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education Why Cultural Diversity and Awareness in the Classroom Is Important Resource Articles // American classrooms are becoming more diverse every year,* which means cultural diversity in the classroom is becoming an increasingly important issue for educators throughout the education system.

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This website offers information about students feeling more confident and safe. Also, the importance of students learning in a multicultural environment can help them for the future.

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Drexel University School of Education
Cultural diversity in the classroom is on the rise. In 2014, U.S. public schools hit a minority majority milestone with Latino, African-American, and Asian students having surpassed the number of white students. In 2044, the U.S. Census predicts that over half of the nation's population will be people of color, so this trend will likely continue.

In our increasingly diverse and multicultural society, it's more important than ever for teachers to incorporate culturally responsive instruction in the classroom -- whether teaching elementary school, middle school or high school students. And the increase of diversity doesn't only relate to race and ethnicity; it can include students of different religion, economic status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and language background.

Interested in becoming a teacher? Learn more about Drexel's Teacher Certification program.

Why is it Important to Encourage Diversity in Schools and Workplaces?

Fostering inclusion and awareness around multicultural education and taking a culturally responsive approach to teaching benefits all students. Not only does creating greater multicultural awareness and inclusion help students with different backgrounds and needs succeed, but it encourages acceptance and helps prepare students to thrive in an exponentially diverse world. Our Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Wellness Certificate Program is a great opportunity for teachers to learn how to create positive classroom environments and can serve as a foundation for understanding how to promote diversity in your classroom.

Diversity in and out of the classroom will continue to grow, so it's essential we prepare students to adapt to an evolving world and embrace those different from themselves. Learn more how the programs at the Drexel School of Education are helping to prepare more culturally-responsive educators today.

How do you Manage Diversity in the Classroom?

There are several ways teachers and administrators, such as principals and coaches, can ensure that both the classroom environment and curriculum are responsive to the increasing cultural diversity of our society. These strategies will encourage all students' cultural awareness, enhancing each student's sense of identity, and foster inclusion in the classroom community.

1. Get to Know Your Students Ensuring that cultural awareness is promoted in the classroom starts with the teacher understanding each individual student. Take the time to learn about each student's cultural background, hobbies, learning styles, and what makes them unique. Demonstrating a genuine interest in learning about each student and their culture will help establish trust and allow you to form a bond with them so they feel valued. If students feel appreciated by and comfortable with the teacher, there's a better chance they'll feel comfortable talking with and respect their peers in the class - and communication is the core to a culturally aware and inclusive classroom.

2. Maintain Consistent Communication Aside from getting to know your students, teachers should also continue to maintain ongoing communication throughout the semester or school year. Scheduling 1-on-1 meetings with students to "check in" every so often will allow you to consistently improve how accessible the classroom is to everyone. Students can talk about whether they felt included in the classroom culture. This can help identify issues or ways to improve the overall experience. It's also an opportunity to discuss their progress in the class and offer guidance on how they can improve, based on their individual needs as a student.

3. Acknowledge and Respect Every Student It's also important for students to celebrate and respect their own diverse backgrounds, as well as each other's. When appropriate, teachers should encourage students to research and learn about their own ethnic and cultural backgrounds. This allows them to better understand their own culture as well as the differences and nuances with their peers. As a bonus, this can be a great ice breaker assignment, allowing students to give presentations about their family traditions and culture to help expose the class to concepts outside of their own familiar comfort zone. Acknowledging these differences and creating a safe space for discussion helps promote understanding in the classroom and beyond. Also, as you encourage students to learn about their diverse backgrounds, remember to take the time to highlight what's offensive and the distinction between cultural celebration and appropriation. Learning how to talk about other cultures in a respectful, mature way is essential for success in life outside the classroom.

4. Practice Cultural Sensitivity While it's important to keep an open dialogue amongst students, it's equally as important to make sure you're being sensitive to everyone's culture, beliefs, and language concerns. Take the time to understand each student's cultural nuances - from learning styles to the language they use - and use these insights to design your lesson plans. For example, provide English language learners with appropriate and relevant resources that help them improve their English comprehension skills. Rather than teach with a traditional lecture style, create learning experiences that are more interactive and require collaboration. These considerations will help ensure that every student feels included, is given the space to learn in their own way and is given a chance to succeed.

5. Incorporate Diversity in the Lesson Plan The classroom environment is important for fostering cultural awareness, but you also should ensure diversity is represented in your actual lesson plan. For example, broaden history lessons so that they encompass the world beyond United States history and culture. Or, use references and analogies to other cultures in your lessons and assignments to help students with diverse backgrounds personally connect. Another great strategy is bringing in diverse speakers to add varying points of view and real-life context to different subjects.There are several ways you can ingrain cultural awareness and diversity into your lesson plan, and it will vary depending on the cultures represented in your classroom and the course you're teaching. Regardless of the subject, always try to present and connect lessons to real-world issues. It's easier to promote cultural awareness within your lessons when there's a real example for students to relate to.

6. Give Students Freedom and Flexibility Teachers often feel like they need to take on a strict, authoritative approach when it comes to managing their classroom. The most valuable lessons are often learned through a student's own experiences, so giving them some freedom in the course encourages more connection to the curriculum. Allow students to read and present their own materials that relate to the fundamental lesson so they can approach the topic from their own perspective. As a teacher, you can act as a facilitator and encourage conversation and healthy debate between diverse opinions. Group assignments are also a great way to expose students to diverse perspectives, allowing them to work together to explore and solve a problem. This will also help prepare them for a diverse workforce where they'll have to partner with a range of people to accomplish their professional goals.

Why is it Important to Teach Culture in the Classroom?

It is important to remind ourselves why diversity and cultural awareness is so crucial in the classroom and the benefits it can have on students now and in the long-term. Teaching diversity exposes students to various cultural and social groups, preparing students to become better citizens in their communities. These culturally responsive teaching strategies will help you to promote diversity in the classroom.

With these culturally responsive teaching strategies in mind, it's important to remind ourselves why diversity and cultural awareness is so crucial in the classroom and the benefits it can have on students now and in the long-term.

Students Become More Empathetic

Promoting awareness and creating a personal connection with diverse cultures in the classroom can prevent students from developing prejudices later in life. It allows them to empathize with people different from themselves since they're more aware of the experiences someone of a different race or cultural group may face.

Students Gain a Better Understanding of Lessons and People

When working and learning with people from a variety of backgrounds and cultures present in the classroom, students gain a more comprehensive understanding of the subject matter. It also teaches students how to use their own strengths and points of view to contribute in a diverse working environment.

Students Become More Open-Minded

Naturally, by exposing students to a diverse range of opinions, thoughts, and cultural backgrounds, you're encouraging them to be more open-minded later in life. This will make them open to new ideas and be able to attain a greater comprehension on a topic by taking in different points of view.

Students Feel More Confident and Safe

Students who learn about different cultures during their education feel more comfortable and safe with these differences later in life. This allows them to interact in a wider range of social groups and feel more confident in themselves as well as in their interactions with others.

Students Are Better Prepared for a Diverse Workplace

With the rise of globalization, it's more important to be able to work with people from different cultures and social groups. If students are exposed to diversity and learn cultural awareness in the classroom, it sets them up to flourish in the workforce.

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The Importance of Diversity in the Classroom - School of Education

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Drexel University School of Education Cultural diversity in the classroom is on the rise. In 2014, U.S. public schools hit a minority majority milestone with Latino, African-American, and Asian students having surpassed the number of white students. In 2044, the U.S.

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This video speaks about the benefits of different students being included. When students are comfortable they are more willing to participate and learn.

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The power of inclusive education | Ilene Schwartz | TEDxEastsidePrep

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National Association of Independent Schools

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National Association of Independent Schools

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This video is a short view but it offers opinions and views from several people. It offers advantages to not only encouraging diversity but having a staff member responsible for it.

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National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)

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How Schools Can Improve Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Practices

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This is a podcast from F3 and it uses discussions in an interview with Dr. John Marchhausen. The discussions include the inclusion of all students and why students feel comfortable within their own culture but they can still learn about other cultures.

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Listen to this episode from Focus 3 Podcast on Spotify. Tim Kight interviews Dr. John Marchhausen, Superintendent of Hilliard City Schools, about how he built culture throughout the district and the impact it's had on teachers and students.