Intercultural Diversity and Inclusion in the Classroom Kevin Dolan – Adjunct Math Department SLCC Adjunct Faculty Academy 2012-2013

Definitions Multicultural Education Diversity Inclusion Values cultural differences Affirms the pluralism that students and teachers reflect.  Challenges all forms of discrimination in schools and society Diversity Sum of the ways that people are both alike and different.  The dimensions of diversity include race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, language, culture, religion, mental and physical ability, class, and immigration status. Inclusion How people of all backgrounds are involved, their perspectives valued, their needs understood Denver Public Schools; 2003; http://diversity.dpsk12.org/definitions

Education and Inclusion SLCC’s Mission “Salt Lake Community College is . . . committed to serving the broader community. . . Its mission is to provide quality higher education and lifelong learning to people of diverse cultures, abilities, and ages. . .” -SLCC mission statement; 2012

Education and Inclusion SLCC’s Mission Our students’ diversity includes Ethnic & Int’l Background Age Work Experience Education Gender Can we address all of these at once?

Minimizing Divisive Impact We must address these issues “Although cultural differences can never be completely abrogated . . . we do in fact know major conditions which will reduce the divisive impact of cultural differences” Roland Tharp; Systemic Reform: Perspectives on Personalizing Education--Sept. 1994

How Do We Accomplish our Mission? Be aware of Diversity of all types Share SLCC Vision, Mission, & Learning Outcomes Learn about your students’ background Create a learning environment that minimizes cultural differences Assess our teaching by talking to students

Kaizen – Continuous Improvement And then keep checking our progress . . . With every class!

“Strength lies in differences, not in similarities” –Steven R. Covey Quotes on Diversity “It is never too late to give up your prejudices” ― Henry David Thoreau “Strength lies in differences, not in similarities” –Steven R. Covey “How can you govern a country which has 246 varieties of cheese?” ― Charles de Gaulle