Shelly Cox

EDUC 650
3.13.F Climate for Cultural Diversity

The primary role of a district, school, and classroom teacher in creating a climate for cultural
diversity is to create meaningful relationships with students to create a culture of acceptance. By
administrators and teachers modeling this behavior, students will feel accepted, no matter their
background. This will then create a chain reaction and the students will treat each other with respect. All
learners need to feel accepted and see themselves in every aspect of the school.

Having conversations can drive change, and as lead learners, it is our responsibility to step beyond
our comfort levels and connect with others and learn about diversity and how to minimize racial
differences. Ideas to aide in this process of creating a culturally diverse climate would be to help teachers
reflect in their actions and beliefs, to examine our outlooks about cultures and work to minimize racial
inequalities. Through data collection and having appropriate conversations, we can close the gap.
Culturally responsive leadership and classroom practices should be our goal so that all students are
provided with equitable opportunities for learning. As schools embrace the journey, all the hard work,
effort, and discomfort will be a major win for students.

Promoting Cultural Diversity at the District Level

 Consider visiting a successful school where minorities are the majority.

 Actively recruit teachers that look like the learners.
 Staff development for teachers to story tell (ex. https://storycorps.org/)
 Allow teachers to have staff development opportunities in a different district, even if out of state.
Set up virtual tours if it’s not financially feasible for teachers to travel. Keep in mind the learning
experience would be better if you are in a school building where you are now the minority. It will
allow teachers to step out of their comfort zone and experience a little of how their students feel.

Promoting Cultural Diversity at the School Level

 Get to know your students and their cultural background

o conversate
o be intentional
 o be culturally responsive
o learn about lives, interests, and respond to their strengths
o shut down generalizations and stereotypes immediately, forcefully, & respectfully
 Practice mindful communication
o no stereotypes in examples and resources
o no bigotry statements
o be open and listen to student needs
o be sensitive to learn and pronounce student names
 Create a cultural diversity forum for students, teachers, and administrators
o Discuss racism and being a minority in our school/community
o Invite presenters to talk with staff and students
o consider having a Culture & Behavior PLC or focus group
 Be active in getting the culturally diverse community involved in the school
o local churches, civic groups and chapters

Promoting Cultural Diversity at the Classroom Level

 Set realistic, high expectations for all students

o set and maintain clear expectations for content mastery
o set and maintain clear expectations for behavior
 treated each student with dignity and respect
 research culture and behavior
 Curriculum should be culturally relevant
o include examples from student’s lives
o learn what is important and who you are serving
o relate aspects of their lives to teaching and teaching to their lives
o model cultural learning styles and tools
 Be active in getting parents involved in the school to see their perspective
o home visits/calls for positive things
o connect parents with community resources
o parents as volunteers during school hours