In my diverse students class today we were speaking about differences between student and how we as educators need to be aware of a vast array of backgrounds and cultural identities that may be very different from thier own. The presenters discussed everything from culture to religion and sexual orientation of students and their parents. It was alarming to find out that in some schools children of gay or lesbian couples were asked not to participate in geneology activities. The parents were being discouraged from participating in PTA and other school activities because it might spot light their lifestyle. This was being done for the children’s benefit they were told.
Needless to say the topic caused some great debates on policy and opinion in class. The reason that I bring it up in this forum is that we were given a website for the National Association for Mutilcultural Education. www.nameorg.org This website gives some great resources for educators under their resource center. It actually hosts a quiz that if you answer honestly may examine some of your own hidden biases that you were unaware of. As educators we need to be aware of ourselves and our impact on others.
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