Learning Outcome #11:
Foster understanding of and respect for individuals' abilities, disabilities, and diversity of variations of ethnicity, culture, language, gender, age, class, and sexual orientation
It is essential that students in my classroom treat each other in a respectful manner. In my guidelines and expectations that I used while student teaching, I emphasized the importance of common courtesy and treating each other with respect, regardless of students’ feelings toward one another. I had students who said they did not respect another classmate, but I encouraged them to still treat that person in a respectful way.
I also believe in treating students fairly, but not equally. Allen Mendler states, “We believe that being fair means giving each person what he or she needs, not treating everyone exactly the same. Equality means that all people are born of equal value, but since no two people are identical, it is absurd to think that everyone should be treated exactly the same” (39). I agree with Mendler’s concept. I hold certain students to a higher expectation if I know they are capable of more than some of their classmates. I still use the same assessment tools, but I push them to reach their full potential. I also feel the same with regard to students who have special learning needs. Not all students should be treated equally because they are not all the same, but all students must be treated fairly.
I do not allow the use of vulgar, offensive language in my classroom. Eliminating such behavior helps create a safe environment for all students. I stress the importance of not using the words “gay” and “retarded” as students so often do. I often ask students what they mean when they say that, and I then explain to them what they really mean to say. Once students have this knowledge, they choose how to use it. Students in my classroom are held to a higher standard once they have received knowledge on a subject. To not know better and consequently be insensitive is unfortunate, but it is a reality; to have the knowledge and choose to be insensitive is unacceptable. Over the course of my student teaching, I saw tremendous, positive progress in the way my students treated each other in my classroom, especially in the urban environment of Nottingham High School.
The most effective way to emphasize the importance of respect and diversity among people is by creating activities, assignments, and projects that support this view. Each day at Nottingham High School, my class began with a writing warm-up activity. My warm-up activities always served two purposes: they related to the literature we were currently studying, and they were also authentic and allowed students to connect the literature to their lives.
Perhaps the easiest way to encourage individualism, understanding, and respect for all in an English language arts classroom is through reading. Reading a variety of different genres and authors in an English classroom will undoubtedly expose students to people of all ethnicities, disabilities, cultures, social classes, and sexual orientations. Awareness is the first step in achieving understanding and respect.
Work Cited
Mendler, Allen. What Do I Do When...? Bloomington, IN: Solution Tree, 2007. 39. Print.
Image from http://www.futurity.org/society-culture/americans-crave-self-respect-over-security/