School all over the world were developed with the premise that they will be facilities that promoted the education, interaction, and empowerment of all students regardless of the ethnic, racial, sexual, or field of study of the particular student. Education is perceived as the gateway to more productive opportunities also known as greener pastures, and thus all people from different cultural backgrounds travel various parts of the globe in search of good quality education. The frantic movements of individuals in search of knowledge bring together a group of elites from different ethnic, racial, sexual, and educational affiliations. Therefore, there is a need for the improvement of the education system to a more functional, flexible and accommodative one. The education system has to be revamped in a manner that supports a culturally sensitive society by having a curriculum that addresses all academic needs, learning techniques, and the different abilities of all the students present.
From the past, American schools were mainly populated by European students, but as the days moved on and civilization set in, the classrooms are now viewed as a presentation of the country’s increased cultural diversity. Owing to the rising number of immigrants and birth rates, the number of Hispanics and Asians alone has grown to 20% in the past five years (Masader, 2015). Additionally, Nishi (2015) explains that the total number of Africans in the country has risen to 12% resulting from the relentless search for better opportunities. In the present, a significant 25% of the total population of the nation is made up of non-European members. In the classrooms, about 40 million American citizens migrate each year causing the initial population composition in classes to change almost completely (Hartman, 2016). Consequently, many cultures are well represented in the classrooms as various cultures penetrate the learning institutions in the country further.
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Cultural diversity is comprehended differently by different individuals. Some of the people view diversity concerning ethnicity while others associate it with race (Kim, 2014). However, there is a section of the population who seem to presume that cultural diversity refers to the various sexualities and capabilities. Since no single definition alienates some of the presumptions upheld one can assume that cultural diversity refers to all the elements mentioned above of society. In the United States of America, many schools and colleges have recorded a vast number of physical, emotional, and intellectual uniqueness (Nishi, 2015). The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act dictates that persons with disabilities should be educated in a less restrictive environment or conditions not similar to those children without disabilities (Bensimon, 2018). Students with special needs require full-time supervision and assistance to help them not only in their academics but also socially. Educators believe that diversity has dramatically changed the education system to a more efficient state than it was in the past.
For the system to be sufficiently profitable, teachers’ expectations and participation are monumental. The teacher is the individual who will be in constant communication with the students hence the relationship between the teacher and student is one of the most prioritized aspects (Bensimon, 2018). First of all, teachers and instructors are required to prepare a plan that will help put certain things into perspectives such as the appropriate time and schedule for classes and other co-curricular activities (Nishi, 2015). The teacher is also mandated to learn and understand the background of the students which will enable them to address the various unique backgrounds of the students. Failure to acknowledge the different cultures within a class could lead to the creation of a nation of individuals who are unable to coexist with other culturally diversified individuals causing serious problems such as racism, ethnicity, and religious enmity. Masader (2015) elaborates that teachers’ expectations have a strong implication for a student, and thus the teacher should ensure that their expectations for every student if fair and unbiased.
Undoubtedly, teachers play an essential role in the successful running of culturally diverse institutions. The attitudes expressed by teachers directly impact the performance of a student. Therefore, if a teacher is negative towards a specific student because of their diverse culture, then they may end up influencing the student negatively (Hartman, 2016). It is thus required for teachers to hold expectations about themselves and students which are attainable, realistic, and flexible. The previous statement will result in a pressure-free environment that instead encourages growth, good performance, and diversity. A teacher’s attitude is communicated through their actions implying that all students should be treated equitably and without any prejudice towards any specific cultural group (Kim, 2014). A student’s perception of the teacher’s attitude impacts the motivation of the student and the personal relationship between the student and the teacher. Teachers are hence a vital tool in the education system.
In conclusion, the current population in American is more diversified as opposed to the historical days where all schools were segregated to only include a specific cultural group. Currently, people from various cultures have traveled into the country following various reasons such as seeking employment, education, and other opportunities. The society is thus more culturally diverse with schools documenting students with different intellectual, emotional, and physical qualities. Additionally, students from different backgrounds find themselves in the same classrooms forcing corporation and coexistence amongst them. While other factors need to be implemented to straighten the education system more, it is undeniable that teachers are one of the essential elements of cultural diversity in learning institutions. The teacher’s attitude and behavior towards a child directly affect the performance of the child and their relation with other cultures presented in the classrooms. The education system has to eliminate the flaws of prejudice and old beliefs to entirely be able to accommodate students from exceptional cultures in the world.
References
Bensimon, E. M. (2018, March 26). Creating Racially and Ethnically Diverse Faculties. Retrieved from https://www.insidehighered.com/views/2018/03/26/new-policies-are-needed-recruit-racially-and-ethnically-diverse-faculties-opinion
Hartman, H. (2016, March). Strategies for Teaching Culturally Diverse Learners . Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/298972096_Strategies_for_Teaching_Culturally_Diverse_Learners
Kim, S. (2014). When Diversity Drops: Race, Religion, and Affirmative Action in Higher Education. Sociology of Religion , 75 (2), 341-343.
Masader. (2015). Race, Class or Place? Diverse: Issues in Higher Education, Supplement Convergence Diversity & Inclusion , 32 , 14-17.
Nishi, N. (2015). When Diversity Drops: Race, Religion, and Affirmative Action in Higher Education by Julie J. Park. The Review of Higher Education , 38 (2), 319-322.
