Reflection # 10 Edf 2085

Shaniece N. Jeffers
EDF 2085
October 25, 2009
Reflection #10
Prof. Joseph McNair

This article was given to future teachers to help us broaden our mind and vocabulary on diversity within our classroom. We have to understand the different minorities/ ethnic group that each student may bring to the classroom. We as teacher must know how to answer different questions and situations that each student may bring to the table. As the student teacher they look up to us for advice and answers that may be a burden to them. In which they are right we should be able to assist them with whatever they need, we are considered their parents away from home.
We have to know how to teach the student, because not everyone has the same morals, norms, religion, and etc. Some students sometimes don’t even know where they belong, meaning race, gender, and religion. This is a very cruel situation to go through, not just for the teacher but for the student as well. In some religion and race the student is not allowed to speak, meaning what’s really on their mind. So the teacher would have to assure them its okay to speak their mind without them being intimidated.
As a teacher you have to also know your children, try to get to know them within the first couple of weeks. Getting to know them will help you know who they really are, meaning their personality and what are their beliefs in life. Try to find out their background, like where they came from, what they like to do, and what they would like to be when they grow up. Getting to know them shouldn’t just be for the teacher alone, but for the rest of the class as well; try to do an early group project or a group discussion. Another good way is to set up a communication boundary with the student and teacher, by email or have a chat room for your class so that everyone can communicate and learn at the same time.
In each classroom a teacher should set boundaries, meaning rules that the class should follow and understand. The classroom shouldn’t just be a room for just learning, but a room of morals and norms that each child should learn and get to know. Rules should be established not just for the student to interpret, but also for their safety as well. The teacher should issue handouts on the standards of the classroom and what should be expected within the classroom. A teacher should also understand each student ideas towards questions; remember that not all answers to a question are wrong; because everyone has their own beliefs on a situation.


As a future teacher in the making, I have to be able to understand the state of mind of each student. I have to understand they way they speak or say certain thing is just a way of their moral growing up. Remember the child only interpret things that they see older individuals doing, it’s like mocking their elders. Most children show their respect by following people that they could look up to. We all are not the same, that’s why there is diversity in the world; so that means we have to know how to handle a situation for not just one child but for the students in your class as well.