Final Post

Before taking this class I always felt like I could handle the topic of diversity easily within my own classroom. I knew there would be different races and religions coming from all over the world but I looked at the situation as something I could overcome because its simply school. I now realize how hard it is to handle issues of diversity especially some that I had never even thought of as being so offensive [Such as schools mascots being Chiefs]. This class has truly opened my eyes and I could not be more thankful. In my own classroom I am starting to only think about using books that cover issues of diversity. It is such an important topic and I feel the earlier children are exposed to these types of issues and controversy the greater impact it will have on them in the future. Everyone needs to be exposed to the world out there even if it is only through books.
I always enjoyed critically analyzing the books we read in class because they all really got me thinking. I was looking for a deeper meaning behind every word and enjoyed hearing what my classmates thought of the book as well. One book can mean so many different things to different readers and questions arise that I would not have even thought about. The main topics in the books we read dealt with identity, discovery, inclusion, and cross cultures. These issues will most definitely be seen in an elementary classroom. Children are growing up and if they can be taught about these sensitive issues early on there is no doubt in my mind that their rate of succeeding in life will be much greater than those that are so sheltered in society they do not know any other cultures exist.
Stereotypes and generalizations have to be the most important issue talked about in class relating to all the articles and books we read throughout the semester. It is so important to understand why we need to distinguish between the two and what they both mean. This class has taught me to take everything in and look at it from different viewpoints. I know that all this information will make me a better teacher when I have a classroom of my own.