1. Diversity in Our Schools
By: Mary Ann Clark
EDD 544 May 2015

2. Today’s Objective After Today’s Training Participants will be able to:
Connect communication with diversity in the classroom
Describe the role and importance of understanding diversity
Identify best practices to support types of diversity in the classroom

3. Today’s Agenda Activity Define Diversity
Role and importance of diversity in education
Diversity and communication
How to handle diversity
Diversity activity
Closure

4. Activity Scenario: Subject Area: Middle School Math
Objective: Students will engage in a cross curricular group project using Science, Math, and Social Studies to develop a bridge for their community.
Activities: Students will-
Research traffic patterns, including peak times, average number of vehicles and commerce needs in area determined for bridge.
Create a scaled model of the proposed bridge along with drawings needed.
Write a report of findings and a rationale on need.
Initiate a report on the environmental impact using research and Power Point.
Create a cost analysis on Microsoft Excel for materials.
Give a presentation on findings to the class.
Your Job:
Group Students in a fashion to Ensure SUCCESS for ALL!!
Each group of teachers will create groups of students based upon the class list that you have been provided. Group teachers in pairs of 2 to create students groups.

5. Group # 1 Name Math Scores Student Interest Joey 170 Music Bobby 190
Morgan
160
Art
Jesse
200
Creative Writing
Nicky
225
Science
Scotty
250
Yankees Fan
Lizzie
270
Noel
230
Dance
Cam
180
Basketball
Jon
280
Gaming
Group 1 will create groups

6. Group #2 Name Math Interest LAL GENDER Joey 170 Music 220 Female Bobby
190
203
Male
Morgan
160
Art
188
Jesse
200
Creative Writing
232
Nicky
225
Science
256
Scotty
250
Yankees Fan
289
Lizzie
270
292
Noel
230
Dance
209
Cam
267
Basketball
286
Jon
280
Gaming
Group 2 will create groups

7. Group #3
Name Math LAL Science Extra Curricular Intelligence Attendance 2010
Joey
170
220
247
Theatre Club
Verbal Linguistic
Bobby
190
203
232
Sax Player School Band
Interpersonal 2
Morgan
160
188
218
Eagle Scout
Naturalistic 7
Jesse
200
244
N/A
Visual Spatial 18
Nicky
225
256
270
Environmental Club
Bodily Kinesthetic 3
Scotty
250
289
297
Gaming Club 5
Lizzie
292
300
School Paper Editor, National Honor Society
Linguistic/ Interpersonal
Noel
230
209
267
Cheerleader, Helping Hands Tutor
Cam
286
294
Team Captain Basketball, KEY Club, Chess Club
Jon
280
Science Club, Gaming Club, Debate Team
Mathematical 4
Group 3 will create groups.

8. Discussion How did you separate students into groups?
How did you decide what students went into what groups?
How many students did you put in a group?
Did you make equal number of groups?
Teachers did not know that

9. Diversity can be defined as the sum of the ways that
What is Diversity?
Diversity can be defined as the 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. (NEA, 2015)
Diversity is the state of being diverse; variety; a range of different things that we are and encounter.

10. Why Diversity Matters in the Classroom?
The student’s culture will influence both their behavior and the student’s psychological processes
As educators is it important to know and understand the differences of our students in order to effectively communicate with them and also teach them. You need to find the best method for them to succeed academically and socially.

11. Communicating with Diversity
The way that we communicate with others if effected by diversity.
Below are some ways that are effected by diversity and communication:
Attitudes: Preconceived ideas about different cultures effects
the way we act towards others of different cultures.
Patterns of Thoughts: The way different cultures think
about things differentiate between cultures.
Social Organization: Different cultures have different thoughts about
how society should be organized.
Role Prescription: Your cultural background determines how you
think about people’s roles such as a role of a teacher.

12. Communicating with Diversity continued..
Language: Language is the way that we ultimately communicate with each other.
Language is also a barrier for some of us as educators.
Use and Organization of Space: The use of the space can effect some cultures.
Such as the personal space that some cultures exhibit when speaking
with on another.
Vocabulary: The use of vocabulary and how each culture speaks. Such as slang
whereas some cultures are more proper.
Time Conceptualization: Depending upon upbringing, time may be viewed
differently. To some people time is crucial and making sure time
management is effective as other cultures are less stressful of time
management.

13. Concerns with Communication
Due to the vast differences in schools today, as educators we need to be
prepared to deal with the following concerns that may arise in our
teaching and learning process to ensure academic and
social success of our students.
Sexism
Ethnocentrism
Classism
Racism
Ableism

14. Sexism Sexism is discrimination based on gender.
In education there have been many advancements with rights
and gaps in the classroom.
Research suggests that: (Simonds & Cooper, 2011).
From grade school to high school, boys receive lower marks on their report cards.
More boys than girls drop out and repeat grades.
More boys than girls get suspended from school.
Boys are designated as learning disabled and labeled
emotionally disturbed more often than girls.

15. How to Overcome Sexism in the Classroom
Within the classroom setting teachers need to be cognizant of their
interactions with boys and girls.
Allow boys and girls to both be given a chance
Offer assistance to both boys and give
Avoid success of just one gender rather both
Use a system to call randomly on students

16. Ethnocentrism
Ethnocentrism is the The definition of ethnocentrism comes from two Greek words: ethos, meaning “people” or “nation,” and ketron, meaning “center.”
Sumner (1906/1940) divided the concept of ethnocentrism into two parts:
the belief that one’s culture is superior to all others and
the consequent belief that other groups are inferior (Simonds & Cooper, 2011).

17. How to Overcome Ethnocentrism in the Classroom
Within the classroom setting teachers need to be cognizant of their
cultural beliefs when dealing with children.
They should be respectful of:
Language
Learning habits
Nonverbal Skills
Time Management Skills
Social interactions

18. Classism
Classism is the prejudice or discrimination based upon class in a classroom.
These systems result in drastic income and wealth inequality. (Simonds&Cooper, 2011) By this definition, classism has three components:
differential treatment based on social class or perceived social class
systematic oppression of subordinated groups by the dominant groups
a system of beliefs and cultural attributes that rank people according to economic status, family lineage, job status, level of education, etc.

19. How to Overcome Classism in the Classroom
As with all of the communication strategies we must promote success for all students, We can promote less classism through:
Treating everyone with the same respect
Every student receives the same resources as others
Identify and sympathize with students who are less fortunate and may need that extra snack a day
Every student deserves the same
opportunity to succeed.

20. Racism
Racism is when we judge other based upon the color of their skin.
There are gaps in schools due to the stereotypes that we have based
upon students races.
African American students struggle the most in school
Asian students get better grades and are smarter than other due to their cultural beliefs that they study more.
Hispanic students often need more support due to language barriers.

21. How to Overcome Racism in the Classroom
We must accept the differences of all students no matter what race they are.
We should respect the differences of our students and what makes us the “melting pot of the world.”
Learn to be tolerant of differences of people and race and how they learn.
Learn and deal with different communication with different racial groups.

22. Ableism Ableism is discrimination against people with disabilities,
There are some stereotypes that are still present in education with respect to teaching students with disabilities.
-Students should be speaking rather than sign language.
-Every student should be able to learn and apply knowledge of every skill.
-One size fits all.

23. How to Overcome Ableism in the Classroom
Disabilities come in all forms in the classroom such as physical, emotional, social, psychological, etc.
-Lowered Expectations
-Follow Intervention Plans
-Inclusion of all students in activities
-Encourage disabled students to develop and use the skills and modes of expression that are effective.
-Promote high standards, not high stakes.
- Not a one size, fits all.

24. Summary and Review Today you have learned:
Connections in communication with diversity in the classroom
The role and importance of understanding diversity
Best practices to support types of diversity in the classroom
Diversity can be defined as in the classroom as recognizing that
all students are unique in their own way. According to the
NDT Learning Center Their differences could consist of their
reading level, athletic ability, cultural background, personality,
religious beliefs, and the list goes on. (NDT, 2015)

25. References
Cooper, P. J., & Simonds, C. J. (2011). Communication for the classroom teacher (9th ed.). Champaign, IL: Allyn and Bacon.
Diversity Toolkit Introduction. (n.d.). Retrieved May 20, 2015, from
Diversity. (n.d.). Retrieved May 20, 2015, from