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Given the diversity found among students, it is important as an educator to develop and model active listening. By allowing students to share their experiences uninterrupted and asking thoughtful questions, I can learn a lot about each student and individualize teaching approaches to help them be successful. By teaching my students to practice active listening, everyone will feel welcome and included instead of feeling like an outsider. Active listening validates others and helps us to be more open-minded. It also sends the message that each student matters and deserves respect, regardless of cultural or physical differences.

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By incorporating diversity and multiculturalism in both daily lessons and classroom decor, students learn to appreciate differences. Posting images of diversity, including people of various backgrounds and abilities, can help students feel represented in their classroom. If there is a large Spanish-speaking population, including bilingual labels can as help students feel recognized and encourage independence. These efforts help students feel more comfortable as their needs were considered in the classroom setup. By referencing these images in lessons, they are given significance that creates a deeper meaning than just an image that is posted on a wall.

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As an educator, it is important to be mindful of speech. If there are students who are not fluent in English or speak a different language at home, idioms should not be used unless they are being taught. It can feel alienating for students who are unfamiliar with the meaning of idioms and result in the unintentional marginalization of students. In class discussions where idioms are used for teaching, educators can ask students what phrases they may use in their language to convey the same meaning. This shows respect for diversity and a willingness to incorporate these languages to help students feel included by inviting them to make connections in the language they are most comfortable with.

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By getting to know each student, I have the opportunity to learn what is important to them, including the holidays they observe with their families that are different from my own. Including this knowledge in class lessons and discussions gives the opportunity for students who honor culturally-specific traditions to share these with the class. This allows students to feel both seen and heard, and can instill a sense of pride for their traditional holiday celebrations. Including visuals such as images of decorations, items of importance, and the celebrations themselves can help students connect with the joy felt during these special holidays.

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Educators must strive to build strong relationships with students, their families, and the communities through active listening, open dialogue, and advocacy. Positive relationships create partnerships, which research has shown to improve student learning outcomes, especially in underserved communities (Riojas-Cortez & Berger, 2020).

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Allowing families to become participants in their child’s educational journey strengthens the collaboration between school and family. Having family members enter the classroom for read-alouds, projects, class events, and career days create opportunities for involvement (Riojas-Cortez & Berger, 2020).

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As a future educator, examining my own perceptions, assumptions, and beliefs about teaching and the learning process is an early step towards becoming an effective multicultural educator (Howe & Lisi, 2023). By raising my own awareness, I can become more flexible and incorporate diverse perspectives into everyday lessons to celebrate cultural differences that are relevant to the students in my classroom.

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Practicing mindfulness in communication is key to avoiding microaggressions and biases in teaching (Howe & Lisi, 2023). By getting to know my students as individuals and being mindful of my speech and behavior, I am showing respect for their varying experiences, perspectives and abilities. Incorporating this knowledge into my approach to teaching can help my students engage with material in a more personal manner and gain a better understanding of course content.

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As an educator, practicing active listening and open-mindedness can help combat the bias of ethnocentric thinking (Howe & Lisi, 2023). Engaging students in open dialogue with the intent to learn can help foster a more positive learning environment that promotes diversity as a strength. Modeling respectful curiosity and encouraging students to share their own cultures and perspectives creates an enriched learning experience that allows students to view the world from various perspectives.

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To address the changing needs of schools in America and promote student success and high levels of achievement, it is important as an educator to continue to learn. Professional development will help me become more knowledgeable, skilled, and competent as an educator and allow me to grow in the profession so I can best meet the needs of my diverse students (Howe & Lisi, 2023).

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When creating or revising curriculum, it is important to include relevant experiences for students from different backgrounds. Curriculum should include a variety of actual experiences that are relatable to students. This will help students integrate course content and make personal connections to class materials (Howe & Lisi, 2023).

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Including literary works from marginalized groups in the classroom gives a voice to individuals who feel unseen and unheard. A variety of texts, including firsthand narratives, can help students view the world through the eyes of those who have had vastly different experiences. This allows students to learn from different perspectives and to practice being open-minded as they learn to view people as individuals who have inherent value, regardless of differences.

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During the Second World War, women took on the roles normally ascribed by society to men as they were away at war (Schultz, 2018). Women worked factory jobs to support their families and war efforts, making great contributions to the American economy. When the men returned, gender roles were reestablished, but the historical contributions made by women must still be taught in schools to empower female students and foster appreciation among both male and female students.

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Instructional staff can host school-based events that celebrate the diversity found among students and in the community. By inviting students to explore their own cultures and create displays, students are given the opportunity to share their pride and engage with others from different backgrounds. This project would involve students asking for parental input to include values, experiences, and what makes each culture unique. Families are welcome to share the foods they enjoy together for a potluck-style meal at this event.

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By creating volunteer opportunities, families can collaborate with their child’s school and increase engagement with the school and the community. Providing a number of different volunteer opportunities allows for a variety of ways to get involved for families to choose from. These opportunities can include class parents, organizing and chaperoning field trips, or planning activities for students to learn about various cultures while having fun and working together.

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The landmark case of Brown v. Board of Education teaches students about the inequality once widely accepted in the United States. It demonstrates the battle for equal access to education that was not afforded to African Americans and the extreme injustices of segregation (Schultz, 2018). Including lessons such as these in curriculum remind students of the importance of inclusion and diversity and foster respect for the historical figures that fought for justice and equal opportunity.