Many people would look at me and say that I am an “All American White Girl” but many do not know I grew up in an area that is considered the “ghetto” and went to a school where I was the minority. Going to school in a very diverse environment really helped me learn about different cultures. I learned about a great amount of cultures which really widen my view on culture. Not only did I learn about different cultures I also learned about how to deal and work with others from different cultures. I think this will help me out greatly because I will know more about the cultures that I will be working with and I will know how to work with the students.
I think the biggest challenge for me will be working with the homosexual topic. Being brought up in a Christian home challenges the views that I am learning in FNED class. It is difficult to put the religious side of view to the side and work with that topic. That will be the biggest challenge I will have because I agree with a lot with what is being said in the FNED class but I also see how it will be difficult for some parents who are strongly religious.
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Elizabeth, I agree that your personal school experience maybe the greatest asset in your work as an educator. It is important for you to lay it out there. Having been a part of the "minority," and getting to know closely people from other cultures certainly will solidify your approach to diversity as an educator!
ReplyDeleteRe: The "sexual" diversity you mention, it is totally understandable that, at times, you may feel a tension between your personal beliefs, and your responsibility as an educator to treat equally, consider, protect,and include all students in your K-12 public school classroom in our democratic society. We ALL have strong beliefs about many things, this includes teachers and sexuality issues . Your beliefs may help you be more compassionate and better understood from the very parents you mention. The most important is your ability to articulate your beliefs and be thoughtful about how they may influence your work as an educator, keeping in mind the best interest and learning experience of your students. It's a lot, I know!