Religious Expression kindness, compassion, and acceptance

Rockwall ISD Improvement Plan Administrators, schools, and the District will be responsible for promoting diversity by reforming practices, educating employees, and communicating expectations.

kindness, compassion, and acceptance Cross-Cultural Communication

kindness, compassion, and acceptance Economics & Inclusion

Make sure that all students feel safe, respected, and “a part of” Remember that our main purpose as teachers is to teach Review district policy regarding religion in the workplace Objectives

Retrieved June 12, 2009 from Adherents.com Web Site Major World Religions Note:Total adds up to more than 100% due to rounding and because upper bound estimates were used for each group.

Religion Rockwall United States Percent Religious81.87%48.78% Baptist55.42% 9.30% Catholic12.28%19.43% Methodist 5.94% 3.93% Pentecostal 2.39% 1.87% Other Christian 2.29% 5.51% Latter-Day Saints 1.20% 2.03% Lutheran 0.95% 2.33% Episcopalian 0.53% 0.63% Presbyterian 0.49% 1.63% Eastern 0.38% 0.53% Jewish 0.00% 0.73% Islam 0.00% 0.84% Religious Diversity in the United States & Rockwall Retrieved January 6, 2015 from

Importance To build rapport with students, parents, and peers To anticipate cultural reactions and respond respectfully To increase student achievement

Real Scenarios from the Field

REYNA

Do you see any potential for sensitive issues to emerge from the teacher’s comments? Reflection #1

REYNA

Do you see any potential for sensitive issues to emerge from the teacher’s comments? Reflection #1

Are comments like the ones made by the teacher addressed in RISD policy? Reflection #2

Policy FFH(LOCAL) –District prohibits discrimination against any student on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability, or any other basis prohibited by law –Discrimination is defined as conduct directed toward a student that adversely affects the student.

Was it a matter of policy? Was it a matter of cultural awareness? Competency or Policy?

LINDSAY

Do you see any potential for sensitive issues to emerge from the teacher’s comments? Reflection #1

Are comments like the ones made by the teacher addressed in RISD policy? Reflection #2

Policy EMB(LOCAL) –Teachers shall not use the classroom to transmit personal beliefs regarding political or sectarian issues –Instruction will be free from personal bias –Avoid any attempt to coerce or persuade students to adopt teacher’s point of view

Was it a matter of policy? Was it a matter of cultural awareness? Competency or Policy?

The Four Scenarios Scenario A Scenario C Scenario B Scenario D

A student decides to explore various world religious leaders for a class research assignment and wants to create posters that include examples of the diverse views and histories of Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and Hinduism. As part of the project, the student will share research with the class. The student wants to draw or show pictures or cartoons of Jesus, Abraham, Muhammad, and Shiva. Information might include historical background for each faith, major holidays, and an interesting practice of each group. Scenario A

1.Do you perceive any potential for culturally or religiously sensitive issues to emerge from this assignment? 2.How might the teacher practice cultural competence in proactive ways while maintaining the dignity of all and the integrity of the learning experience? Reflection

Scenario B As team leader of the Tiger Team, Mr. Watkins promotes team building in numerous ways. One thing he does is to have a birthday cake and card for each team member when their birthday rolls around. Mrs. Rush is new to the Tiger Team and for specific religious reasons does not celebrate birthdays. How should Mr. Watkins handle the situation?

Reflection 1.Should Mr. Watkins not acknowledge Mrs. Rush’s birthday? 2.Should the practice of acknowledging team members’ birthdays be terminated completely?

Scenario C An Islamic student tells the teacher that he must pray at specific times during the day throughout this time of reverence and celebration. He asks for a private place to go to pray. The teacher tells the student to remain at his seat and pray silently. He restates that he must have a private place to pray.

Reflection 1. Does this scenario involve questions of policy, sensitivity, or both? 2.How should the teacher respond?

Scenario D Every Wednesday, Jimmy wore his “Holla Back Jesus” shirt to school. Mr. Smith was sensitive to it being worn at school. After a student complained one day about the shirt, Mr. Smith told Jimmy that he could not wear the shirt to school anymore because it had a religious message that was potentially offensive to others.

Reflection 1.Can Jimmy wear his shirt to school? 2.Could Mr. Smith wear the same shirt to work if he owned one? 3.Why do school district employees have more limits on their freedom of speech and expression in the workplace than students?

DISTRICT EXPECTATIONS Create inclusive, respectful environments that make all students feel “a part of” Remember that our main purpose is to teach In Conclusion