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By running the online courses, I can enhance secondary ELA programs by incorporating diverse authors and perspectives that reflect your students’ lived experiences and broaden their global understanding. Selecting texts such as Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai for middle school or The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros for high school. Using diverse works help students engage in thoughtful discussions about identity, culture, migration, resilience, and belonging. Encourage them to make personal connections, examine universal themes, and critically reflect on voices historically underrepresented in literature.

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When teaching historical events, present multiple perspectives or personal experiences. For example, when covering the American Revolution, include Native American viewpoints, African American experiences, and women's roles. By having students create digital timelines that showcase these diverse narratives using tools like Sutori or TimelineJS.

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Transform science curriculum by incorporating diverse scientists and highlighting science is a global effort. Highlight the contributions of figures like Chien-Shiung Wu, George Washington Carver, or May-Britt Moser to show students that science is shaped by a variety of voices and cultures. Integrate case studies, current events, and collaborative projects where students explore scientific advancements across different regions and communities. Use activities like science circles to discuss how cultural backgrounds, ethical considerations, and social contexts influence scientific inquiry and innovation.

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Incorporating diversity into subjects like human social services and community service is essential for preparing students to work effectively in multicultural environments. I run National Honor Society, I have seen firsthand how meaningful it is when students engage with people from diverse backgrounds and help the community. Whether through service projects, case studies, or classroom discussions, students benefit from exploring the histories, values, and challenges of different cultures. Integrating these perspectives into the curriculum promotes empathy, cultural competence, and a stronger sense of social responsibility skills that are critical for anyone pursuing a path in service-oriented careers. When students see the real-world impact of inclusive practices, especially through programs like NHS, it becomes clear that learning about diversity is not just theoretical, but makes a positive difference.

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Implementing monthly cultural moments where students have the opportunity to share aspects of their cultural backgrounds through presentations, stories, artifacts, or creative expression. Unlike traditional heritage months that focus on one culture at a time, this ongoing approach ensures that cultural representation is not limited to a single month or event. By making it a regular part of the classroom or program, students build confidence, strengthen their presentation skills, and foster mutual respect and curiosity among peers. This inclusive practice creates a continuous space for celebrating diversity and learning from one another all year long.

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Recognize that each student’s cultural background can shape how they learn and express understanding. Building meaningful connections with students allows educators to learn what helps each one thrive. Chang (2019) emphasizes that educational leaders foster partnerships with families of low income communities to bridge the achievement gap and promote community change. By taking time to understand their experiences, values, and communication styles, teachers can offer flexible ways for students to demonstrate knowledge such as oral presentations for those from strong storytelling traditions, written assignments for those who express themselves best in writing, or artistic and dramatic projects for creative learners. This personalized, culturally responsive approach not only supports academic success but also shows students that who they are is valued in the learning environment.

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Create flexible learning groups that mix students from different cultural backgrounds. Assign projects that require sharing personal perspectives and experiences. This promotes cross-cultural understanding while developing collaboration skills.

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At my school, the number of Multi Language Learners (MLL) has grown significantly, making it more important than ever to create an inclusive and supportive learning environment. To meet their needs, we must intentionally incorporate their native languages into instruction whenever possible. Simple practices like using bilingual labels around the classroom, Google translate, allowing students to respond or brainstorm in their home language, and encouraging peer translation can make a big difference. Most importantly, we should celebrate multilingualism as a strength not a barrier. When students see their language and culture reflected and respected in the classroom, they feel more confident, valued, and empowered to succeed both academically and socially.

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Instead of a traditional cultural display, I use a student calendar display where students are invited to add important events that matter to them such as birthdays, cultural or religious holidays, and family traditions. This simple but meaningful tool allows students to see their identities represented throughout the year, not just during specific months. Alongside the calendar, I include a world map where students can mark their cultural heritage and an “Our Languages” board that features greetings in all the languages spoken in our classroom community. These displays create a welcoming and inclusive environment where every student feels seen, valued, and celebrated.

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In an online classroom, I can still promote diversity in reading by curating a digital classroom library that features books with characters from various cultural backgrounds, stories in multiple languages, and texts that explore a range of cultural experiences. Share links to eBooks, audiobooks, and online articles through platforms like Epic, Libby, or your school’s digital library. Encourage students to contribute by submitting virtual book reviews or creating short video recommendations to highlight stories that reflect their identities or introduce them to new perspectives. This approach not only builds a more inclusive learning environment but also fosters a sense of community and shared learning even in a virtual space.

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Co-create classroom guidelines with students that promote cultural respect. Include principles like 'We honor all languages,' 'We respect different perspectives,' and 'We celebrate our differences.' Display these prominently and reference them regularly.

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I design my classroom spaces to affirm and celebrate student identities by including a mirror with positive affirmations, so every student can see themselves reflected and reminded of their worth. I also provide quiet spaces for individual reflection and comfortable collaborative areas that support different cultural communication styles, ensuring all students feel respected and able to participate in ways that suit them best.

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Our Multilingual Learners (MLL) program hosts a special cultural night each month where families come together to share traditions through food, games, music, and stories from their diverse backgrounds. While we align some celebrations with recognized cultural heritage months, we also make sure to honor all cultures represented in our classroom throughout the year. These events create a warm, welcoming space for students and families to connect, celebrate diversity, and build community.

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Invite family and community members to visit the classroom to read stories from their cultural backgrounds or share personal experiences in person or via recorded videos. Build a digital story bank where these recordings and written stories are stored, giving students easy access to a rich variety of voices and perspectives. Beyond storytelling, encourage guests to share traditions, songs, or examples of cultural practices related to the curriculum. These authentic connections deepen students’ understanding, foster empathy, and bring real-world relevance to their learning.

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Develop community-based learning projects where students Through my role with the National Honor Society (NHS), we actively incorporate family and community voices by interviewing members about their cultural traditions, occupations, and immigration experiences. These interviews not only honor the rich diversity within our community but also provide powerful learning opportunities for students. We then create exhibits or presentations showcasing these stories, which are shared with the broader school community during events or assemblies. This approach helps build awareness, respect, and connection among students while highlighting the real-life experiences that shape our collective identity.

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Our school’s website offers translation into families’ preferred languages, making communication more accessible and inclusive. To further support clear communication, we use translation services for newsletters, maintain a multilingual class blog or website, and provide interpretation at all family events. Additionally, we’re exploring the idea of creating a family language exchange program to foster connections and celebrate the diverse languages spoken within our community.