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Kathleen - Good evening!
Kathleen - Catherine, thank you for agreeing to moderate a discussion about cultural diversity in the classroom!
cath22 - Welcome to tonight's discussion... we will be looking at cultural diversity in the classroom and discussing how best to deal with it
Kathleen - what is cultural diversity?
cath22 - We as teachers are increasingly faced with a variety of cultural backgrounds and races wthin our teaching environments. whilst being expected (and rightly so) to promote equality in these situations, it is something we receive little if any training in. it is difficult to promote such values in these situations when often we are ignorsnyt of the cultural differences and backgrounds we are faced with..... contd
cath22 - through conducting this session, it is hoped that, through expereinces shared and facts leanred about cultural diversity, that promoting equality will be more achievable rather than just an 'ideal'.
cath22 - cultural diversity - my understanding is a mix of people from different background or race.....
Kathleen - can "culture" be as simple as differences in family values and standards?
cath22 - yes kathleen.. social differences play a big part in culture... the morals promoted within different social and family groups
eimmik - cath, any suggestions on how to move our students out of this "you owe me" mentality that they hear their parents saying because of past events in history?
cath22 - eimmik.... the suggestions i have are from researching the subject.
cath22 - from a psychological perspective... direct intergroup contact is suggested.. where cultures work together to promote a 'team' culture
Kathleen - a team culture?
cath22 - this encourages familiarity within the group.. opportunities to modify stereotypical values
anna2/MT - is that like "melting pot" or just tolerance, mutual understanding?
Pest - I went to a workshop last week and the facilitator talked about culture as her own upbringing. I agree with her but I feel it is so much broader.
cath22 - kathleen.. where a mix of cultures are encouraged to work together as a team... for instance.. on a residential trip.. where they are faced with situations where they become dependent on each other to some extent.. each member must play their part
Mama B - IS this within the classroom as well as within the whole school?
cath22 - anna- tolerance is a result of modifying the stereotypical way of thinking
eimmik - well we sit in families in our classroom at tables not desk....and work together as families and solve problems as families but still there is this strong "you owe me" in this region
cath22 - yes pest.. but fundamentally within our own family units we have each developed our own cultures within the society in which we live
cath22 - how do you deal with that, eimmik?
cath22 - mama, yes.. it is mainly within our own classrooms..but equally could be applied to the whole school
anna2/MT - eimmik, do you mean the "reverse discrimination"?
Mama B - We are talking about racial as well as religious differences, aren't we?
eimmik - well, we continue to work with character education and I am not sure there is a way to deal with it here in the south....I just hate to see it happening to this generation of students we are raising
cath22 - yes mama... it can all be described under the 'cultural differences' discussion this evening
Kathleen - Mama, I guess any and every difference
eimmik - I think it is important to discuss all cutural diversity however I feel that we are constantly being criticized as teachers for it as well
cath22 - do you think that each new generation is tolerating the differences any better than the previous ones, eimmik?
anna2/MT - in my area there is a lot of discrimination - both directions - between Indian and white students. Nothing has been achieved to alleviate the problem.
cath22 - psychologists describe these differences under 'in-groups' and 'out-groups', and say that belonging to one group incites discrimination against the other
eimmik - No cath, I think it is getting worse here. I think that so many stories have changed regarding history and facts are being covered up in our history books
Pest - eimmik, where is the region you hail from. I haven't encountered this but I have heard others say it about historically oppressed groups of peoples
eimmik - from the south, Pest
cath22 - so how are you expected to teach the history then eimmik? as the books tell it, or as the facts stand?
Mama B - I think all peoples have been hidtorically oppressed in some way in the past!!!!
Kathleen - US South, Pest
eimmik - I dont teach from the books. Unfortunately cutural diversity is such a touchy subject we seem to continue to skirt the issue
eimmik - oh sorry...yes, US South Eastern region....thanks Kat
Kathleen - Mama, the problems we live with now are probably greater because the oppression is relatively recent in history in this case
anna2/MT - eimmik, is that because teachers are afraid of inciting something? or just don't know how to broach the subject?
Mama B - Look at the past history of the Irish, Jews, Italians, American Indians
cath22 - anna... i have a book here by Beverley Tatum... who believes that much prejudice is incited by fear... brought on for different reasons
Mama B - Teachers are afraid to say too much because of fear of parents and administrators
cath22 - yes mama... and each have had their problems with discrimination at certain points in history.....
eimmik - that is because we could easily lose our jobs if we arent careful with what is said.....and it is always "the facts according to whom". SO how can we overcome this in our classrooms?
Shel - Mama, what is an example of too much?
anna2/MT - As a white teacher in a tribal school, I personally try to let the kids do most of the revealing/talking about cultural issues. I learn a lot that way, but don't imagine it's possible in most places.
Mama B - And many still experience some form of discrimination
cath22 - on a more general level..according to Beverley Tatum... people are afraid to support different cultural groups because they are afraid of generating discomfort or rejection by those who may be offended
cath22 - within our own cultural group
Kathleen - anna's technique seems a good one, let the kids bring up and explore the issues related to diversity, let them brainstorm the reasons and solutions for problems resulting from differences between cultures
cath22 - eimmik.. it is difficult... surely a fact is a fact??? surely it is wrong to portray a partial truth of your history???
anna2/MT - But mine is a mono-cultural school for the most part; I wonder how that technique could be facilitated in a more diverse school?
Kathleen - anna, it might be more lively :-) but worthwhile, they live the point of reference
cath22 - yes i agree kathleen and anna.... but surely to do that there has to be a fairly good relationship between students to be able to make that work?
Mama B - I am a retired white teacher and each year I did a big unit on the accomplishments of Blacks, I was called every name in trhe book from whites and some blacks thought I was butting into their business. I felt as if I was ####$% if I did and #@$%^$ if I didn't talk about it
cath22 - yes anna... i agree.
Pest - I always go back to articles by Bill Bigelow when he dicusses the history associated with Columbus "discovering" America to realize that the "facts" we were taught are not reality. Therefore I feel that I need to learn so much to be a responsible teacher of"cultures" that are not the ones I am familiar with. Hope I explined this clearly.
eimmik - but I think you can only do that to some degree,,,,,students seem to voice their parents opinions not their own.....Cultural Diversity in the classroom is a huge problem in NC.....you cant have a brainstorming session on it here without fear of losing your jobs
Kathleen - Mama, but you hung in there to do what you knew was right. Good effort, it must have had positive impact too. But positive doesn't make as much noise as negative.
eimmik - Pest, there was a lot of discussion on the chatboard regarding that same topic
cath22 - mama... i work in a college with 70% ethnic minorities...
anna2/MT - eimmik, my husband was bused in the 70s, lived in Durham, says he experiences a lot of what you are describing.
Shel - Teaching Spanish I've been working on a unit on the African heritage in Latin America, I gave my unit to review to an African American language arts teacher and he thought this would not be received well because my background is not African American and I wouldn't really know what I was talking about, is this a real concern? I know Latin America and I have done my research and spoken with many African Latinos.
eimmik - so any suggestions?
cath22 - eimmik.,. there is so much pressure to be politically correct all the time... i have found that racism is very much a two way thing though... but often it is only perceived as one-way
Mama B - I did it year after year because I thought the kids needed to know that the stereotype of southern blacks. The kids needed to know that there were many scientist, lawyers, educators who were black and made an impact on the US
anna2/MT - shel, I have the same concern as a white teacher in a tribal school. Do I have any foundation for my own input? (what I keep asking myself(
Kathleen - politically correct isn't always incorrect
Mama B - The stereotype of the southern blacks was they were lazy and uneducated
cath22 - what sort of boundaries do you have in your brainstorming sessions eimmik?? what would be regarded as 'crossing the line'????
eimmik - everything is regarded as crossing the line here in the south cath.....Everything
anna2/MT - Mama B, my mother still thinks that...
cath22 - yes mama.. that is because of their background several generations back.. but these ideals have been passed from generation to generation and sadly many whites still carry that attitude today
Pest - Wow. I teach in Eastern Canada. I have no understanding what it must be like to fear for your job dicussing race, history, culture.etc. Our curriculum guide mandate we have children think critically about what they read in text books. We question everything.We also are expected to celebrat cultural diversity. The only resistance have encountered has been with fundamental Christian groups when other faiths have beendicussed in the classroom.
cath22 - yes mama.. that is because of their background several generations back.. but these ideals have been passed from generation to generation and sadly many whites still carry that attitude today
Mama B - Anna, your mother still thinks all southern blacks are lazy and uneducated?
cath22 - eimmik... and how about their attitudes towards you??? is their any control over that?
anna2/MT - pest, if only religion were the only concern for us!
eimmik - yet, Mama we do try to promote those positives from other backgrounds, from african americans to native americans and we are ridiculed as educators
anna2/MT - Mama, I'd change "all" to "most" or "many
Gumbo/K/La - I try to do things all throughout the year to highlight accomplishments and history of different groups
Shel - Pest, I use some wonderful curriculum guides produced in Canada for culture study, your country seems to have acknowledged much earlier the value of all cultures
cath22 - cultural diversity spans colour, race, creed, religion and much more... there is so much we need to be aware of as teachers
eimmik - logged on.--- (208.239.71.96 - Fri Oct 29 6:30pm)
Mama B - I am sorry that she has not met others who do not fit that stereotype.
anna2/MT - a district near mine is being sued because its board has no Native American members yet the school is 50% NA. Huge problems.
cath22 - do you think that these social factors ultimately affect educational achievement in children?
eimmik - it is part of our curriculum to discuss it...as mandated by the state
anna2/MT - I definitely think so, cath; so many of our Indian students are low, low achievers and I think it is directly related to prejudice and discrimination.
Shel - Something surprising to me is that in teaching about Hispanic culture my African American students are the first to make negative stereotype statements, I have to stop and ask them to hear themselves, and remind them of the results of a white person saying the same statement of an African American
cath22 - do you think that their chances of equality in the classroom are compromised because of difference in culture?
Mama B - Absolutely, cath,the attitudes affect educational achievement
Kathleen - cath, I think there's no doubt that these factors affect achievement, self-concept, aspirations
eimmik - yes cath I do...I think we hide the truths about the foundations of this country
Kathleen - Children learn what they live
Sylvia/CA - One of the things I've learned is not to put the responsibility of knowing 'everything' about a given culture on one person. Being a Latina, I have to remind my white friends that I don't represent the feelings and experiences of all Hispanic Americans...
eimmik - and I think we are doing an injustice to our students
anna2/MT - cath, depends where they are/the district/the teachers. In my case, YES.
cath22 - anna.. i read that very often it is down to the teacher;s perception of class and background in a child.... middle class children thought of as more capable than lower class children.....
cath22 - sylvia... that is SO true...
Shel - Sylvia, do you find it ineffective for a nonLatina to teach Hispanic culture?
Mama B - I used to teach gifted kids and when the kids got to the 8th grade, the black kids dropped out of my program because it was not "cool" to be smart by the peer group. So sad
Pest - Each of our cschool boards in Nova Scotia, Canada have a Race Relations, Cross Cultural Understanding and Human Rights department. There is much professional development in these areas. Enid Lee has edited a book "Beyond Heros and Holidays" that is a very good resource.Anyone familiar with this book?
anna2/MT - cath, because isn't that the case? Not capability but achievement in terms of tests, scores, etc...?
Sylvia/CA - I can not be responsible for, or explain a widely diverse culture accurately.
cath22 - anna - achievement in terms of ultimate success... what the child has achieved from their academic life when they leave school
anna2/MT - mama, I think that is part of the problem for my school too. Not cool to do well.
cath22 - i agree sylvia.. although i feel that very little training is offered for teachers
cath22 - anna.. that issue covers a broad spectrum. it is not just a cultural issue
Shel - If only one thought about diversity were to be taken from your classroom by your students, what would that thought be?
anna2/MT - Pest, not familiar with that book.
eimmik - There is no training or inservices offering any advice on this topic
cath22 - in my own experience anna i have found that attitude more among the white children than any others
cath22 - eimmik.. it is the same here... and it is very difficult to ensure that all needs are met in the classroom when we are often ignorant of them!
anna2/MT - shel, not to stereotype others as they are so stereotyped
Sylvia/CA - Shel, absolutely!!!! My staff has at least 5 bilingual teachers who are white. I am continually impressed with the depth and breadth of their knowledge of the hispanic culture... Most of made great efforts to learn about the culture they work with, here
anna2/MT - eimmik, sounds like your district is a bit like the one I have been describing.
Mama B - Let's look at how the Asians, Jews, Hispanic, Black are viewed educationally. The Asians and Jews have always been at the top of the educational ladder. Why? Is it their culture or is it expecatations from the famioy?
cath22 - i think ALL cultural groups have steroeptyical values of other groups... but how we live with those values and how we deal with them are important....
anna2/MT - maybe both, Mama?
eimmik - I think it is this whole region....better to cover up as opposed to discussing it
cath22 - mama... good question.. among the asians i have foubd an extremely high level of expectation from parents form their children who are often pushed onto business and computing courses rather than vocational courses....
anna2/MT - eimmik, I grew up there so know what you mean. First discussion I ever had about diversity was at college and I was VERY uncomfortable.
cath22 - eimmik.. surely that ignorance just encourages more resentment within the cultural/ethnic groups?
eimmik - oh sure anna, I am not sure that I ever discussed it throughout school or college ....even in grad school it is not discussed here
eimmik - definitely cath, but how do we overcome that? I value my job!
Mama B - Do we not discuss it because we are concerned that some toes will be stepped on?
anna2/MT - it is discussed a lot here. Many area schools have "tribal" mascots such as the Savages, the Indians... lots of open opposition to that.
Sylvia/CA - My school, I think, is very unique. We read and discuss LOTS of professional books which include issues of racism, prejudice and homophobia/heterosexism. Most recently we have been begun to look at issues of gender discrimination.
Pest - Beyond Heroes and Holidays: A Practical Guide to K-12 Anti-racist, Multicultural Education and Staff Development Edited by Enid Lee, Deborah Menkart , Maro Okazawa-Rey Enid lives in California and her e-mail is enidlee@aol.com. Her research is in the development of anti racist school climates.
Shel - eimmik, do you belong to a union where you can get legal guidance on these issues?
cath22 - yes eimmik i agree... overcoming it is very difficult if you are held within such strict guidelines for operating in.... does your region have ANY guidelines on how to deal with this?
Kathleen - I really didn't know that things are as bad in the South as some here are describing. :-(
cath22 - mama.. i mentioned that earlier.. fear is one of the biggest causes of racism and discrimination
eimmik - unions arent allowed in our state
Mayh - well I grew up in a school where our mascot was the fighting Indians....and that never swayed me either way toward American Indians
eimmik - Kat, you have no idea
anna2/MT - Kathleen, that's what my roommate in college said (from PA). "I thought racism ended in the 50s"!
Sylvia/CA - I think the most impacting (impactful) has been "Other People's Children" by Lisa Delpit.
anna2/MT - Mayh, it's not your opinion of them - it's their opinion of your school's mascot!
Shel - I guess we are lucky, we have guidance and protection available,
eimmik - guidelines? oh come on cath, we dont discuss it here.....I have so looked forward to this discussion tonight because this is a HUGE problem in the south.....we cover up discussions of diversity here
cath22 - do you think it would help if children (and us) were made more aware of cultural backgrounds, history, and values???
Mama B - Racism is alive and well in the South and is getting worse. Also so many hate crimes are being committed against anyone who is different in any way
Kathleen - Sylvia, I'm not familiar with that book, tell us more
eimmik - North Carolina, USA here....and dont get me wrong...very proud to be a southerner.....just not proud that we arent allowed to discuss these topics without fear of losing our jobs
eimmik - I agree Mama....it has gotten worse
Mayh - is the problem people try so hard to be "politically correct"
cath22 - has anyone heard of the One America intiative?
Mama B - I think we have pushed politically correct so far, there is a backlash
Mayh - well supposedly people think that racism is really bad in the south,,,,,but actually I have found it more profound on the East coast
anna2/MT - the Native Americans in my area are not trying to be politically correct; they are truly offended by a school mascot such as the "Savages"!
anna2/MT - cath, no - tell us.
Kathleen - Mayh, please give an example of people trying so hard to be politically correct
Shel - I'm on the border area North/South and 20 years ago we still have segregated bars and such. I would think today things were better, but I think children are still miniatures of their parents beliefs well into adulthood, both Black and White, they just know better than to verbalize it so much. I think that is why it is important to have classroom discussions so that these children have an opportunity to hear other views, viewpoints, people can change
eimmik - yes cath....is that the thought that we are no longer a melting pot....they want to call us a tossed salad now? I have a book on this somewhere
anna2/MT - Shel, well stated.
Kathleen - Mayh, I just do not see it that way, more profound racism on East Coast, unless you mean South east coast?
Mayh - well I can speak from someone who is very partial, I am married to a black man and have two boys who are going to be considered black
Mayh - I am speaking of my experience of growing up in Boston and now living in Houston
Sylvia/CA - Kat, what I came away with, after reading and discussing that book is that we need to listen to people IN the culture when they tell us what they need, in terms of education. Too often, she says, (if I remember correctly) that we (those who write the book
cath22 - eimmik.. it is an initiative by your President to make sure that all cultures are fully integrated (and, with it, tolerated) in all sectors of American society
Pest - cath22 asked if it would help if we and the children knew about cultural backgrounds,etcs. I feel that it is the key to developing understanding and respect. I see a change in attitutude with children and adults when they learn about the history, etc. We see so many things in a Eurocentric way. We need to see the other side of the story.
Mama B - Mayh, I am sure you have had some experiences that you can share with us
cath22 - yes i agree pest.. there needs to be more awareness
eimmik - yes cath...I have heard of it....and the new name for all of it is tossed salad....they want to do away with the melting pot image
Shel - The belief I express to my students, and make it clear that it is one perspective, is that I don't like the idea of differening colors at all, black and white keep us apart, I look at us all as shades of brown, I'm just a very light shade of brown, and all of our backgrounds can and will make our nation of brown peoples strong, does that offend anyone?
Mayh - did everyone freeze up?
Gumbo/K/La - pest-----I agree......but I think the trivializing of people's cultures desensitizes others.......
Sylvia/CA - and pass the laws) impose our own middle class values and beliefs on those of other ethnic cultures
Kathleen - Hi, Chip! The topic is cultural diversity
Mama B - I think we, as teachers, need to have a much better understanding of the different cultures and expectation within the cultures
anna2/MT - Shel, no, but I'm very very light brown. Perhaps "people of color," as it's been put, would...
cath22 - a small extract.. "to improve the lives of individuals who are affected by past and present discrimination, or eliminate racial prejudice and discrimination from societal institutions such as workplaces, schools and retail institutions."
Kathleen - Sylvia, interestingly enough, there is a vast group who believe that is their right and calling!
Sylvia/CA - I absolutely prefer the 'salad' concept to the 'melting pot'.. I don't want my uniqueness to be just a a muddled blur.
eimmik - okay, we as teachers do, however if we arent taught it in elementary, middle, or high school, and you arent taught it in college....where are we going to become educated on this?
Chip - Thank you Kathleen - I'm from south Florida and there is plenty aroud here!!!
cath22 - so then... how can this be achieved in situations such as eimmik?? ambitious i would say!
Yorick - logged on.--- (12.76.117.217 - Fri Oct 29 6:51pm)
Kathleen - Mayh, do you and your family feel more accepted in the south
Mama B - I prefer the melting pot. The salad divides and separates us too much
anna2/MT - it's so tough to achieve acceptance when so many people use racism and intolerance as...as... I don't know! Some excuse for their own problems??
cath22 - kathleen.. that is a very large cause for debate among psychologists... the authoritarian personalities
Yorick - Maybe we should all vote for Bill Bradley. He has made getting rid of racism one of his main goals.
Kathleen - But Mama, the melting pot implies that we should all become the same, that the differences should be melted away
cath22 - anna - or as an excuse to vent their frustrations or to direct them at someone???
Shel - Even 20 years ago the melting pot was being replaced by the America quilt, I liked this idea since it had a common thread linking all of us, is this concept still around, the melting pot is definitely OUT
cath22 - hello yorick!!!!
Chip - Hi Cath22 How did you get on in the middle of the morning?
anna2/MT - cath, whatever the excuse is... it's an excuse. And people use it and teach it to their children.
Kathleen - Mama, I understand what you mean, we grew up with that Melting Pot theory and it sounds good
Sylvia/CA - As Kathleen knows, I strongly recommend 'Rethinking Schools', which is a newspaper publication that keeps me rethinking issues of discrimination and prejudice in so many ways.
cath22 - keeping our cultural identities but living harmoniously surely makes society much richer
eimmik - the quilt is out as well.......tossed salad is the term now :o)
cath22 - chip..well thanks!
cath22 - yes anna..sadly that must be true
eimmik - got a url for that Sylvia?
Pest - One of my starting points in developing understanding with a culture that I am not part of is ask. What can the person say to my sincere question/s. I have made many friends and allies with this approach and my school and children have always benifited. It has been a climate of fear that has kept many stereotypes alive and very well. It took a long time to feel comfortable enough to be able to take this approach. I have been blessed eversense I started reaching out and admitting I was ignorant and wanted to do justice in my school and classrrom.
Sylvia/CA - Shel, I like the concept of a quilt, as well. We DO have common threads that bind us to each other!!
Chip - CATH22 IT WAS GREAT TALKING TO YOU THIS MORNING just surpised you could get in the room that time of day?
Kathleen - Sometimes "rethinking" is exhausting and discouraging, but if we want to reach the level of being able to model and promote true acceptance of other cultures with our students, it is necessary.
cath22 - Can i also recommend "Why are all the black kids sitting together in the Cafeteria?" by Beverley Daniel Tatum
Sylvia/CA - http://www.rethinkingschools.org
anna2/MT - Pest, that's kind of my strategy too, as I've been a minority with nearly every student population I've worked with
Kathleen - Beverly Tatum will be here online at Teachers.Net on Nov. 10
cath22 - yes sylvia... i agree...
Sylvia/CA - Another FREE publication I like is Teaching Tolerance
eimmik - I agree Pest and have strived to research this topic in order to enhance my classroom understandings of diversity...HOWEVER, I value my job and I can lose it by saying the wrong thing or by something getting misconstrued
Pest - I agree "Retinking Schools" is an important publication. I heard today that it is finished. '?'
Shell - logged on.--- (205.188.192.33 - Fri Oct 29 6:56pm)
Sylvia/CA - cath... I will definitely have to read Tatum's book
anna2/MT - eimmik, are you gaining any ideas or thoughts here?
Chip - gotta go bbl
Shell - Got kicked out and had to reenter under a different spelling
cath22 - it is an eye-opener, sylvia...
Yorick - Books, books, books, Jargon, jargon, jargon. None of this is working.
Sylvia/CA - Kathleen, I can not tell you how excited I am to be having this discussion!! I hope we can continue this discussion!!
eimmik - to move? not sure this problem can be overcome in the south to be honest with you
Pest - My heart goes out to you,eimmik. It must be a lonely place to be professionally.
cath22 - you have a difficult situation eimmik... it is difficult to offer practical advice when it seems that anything you do may put your job at risk
Chip - logged off.--- (205.188.197.167 - Fri Oct 29 6:58pm)
cath22 - Yorick... we need to work together to promote an understanding of the different cultures we all work within.. if books help towards this then so be it
Shell - if teachers like you move, the south will be lost, small strides do lead us there
eimmik - not lonely at all....the entire south is like that...or atleast North and South Carolina
Kathleen - Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0465091296/teachersnet
anna2/MT - who is it that controls the job strings, eimmik? Whites? Blacks? A mixture?
mary - logged on.--- (165.247.37.103 - Fri Oct 29 6:59pm)
Shell - I have a niece and nephew in NC, please hang in there for them
cath22 - hello mary
Kathleen - Yes, this is a good discussion to continue...
eimmik - tough question anna.....the voters?
Pest - I see the clock has come to the hour. Thank you for letting me share. this has been my first chat. Hope to chat again.
Kathleen - Yorick, you are discouraged, or disgusted??
Sylvia/CA - eimmik, how about getting parents to come in and talk about THEIR histories... After all, what they have seen and done IS history in the making!!!!
anna2/MT - I mean, whom would you offend most directly? And could you take measures (I have no idea what) to prevent that?
cath22 - it was nice to talk with you Pest
eimmik - Oh you cant get this southern girl to move....we just need to realize it is a problem.....I know that I would never come in here under my real name and be saying any of this although many of you know it
Yorick - The books are not working. But, is it not fun to sit around and be philosophical about this whole problem?
Kathleen - Pest, check the schedule (left frame link) and come often!
eimmik - that is where the problem lies sylvia......whose facts are correct?
Kathleen - Yorick, not fun. Frustrating to feel unable to solve the problem. Do you have any suggestions?
cath22 - anna.. a good question.. peers? other ethnic groups? ther eis a lot of potential for offence!!!!
Pest - logged off.--- (142.176.49.180 - Fri Oct 29 7:01pm)
eimmik - I would love to see us do this more often on this topic... I think the more it is discussed the more we can try to alleviate some of the probs here
Kathleen - emmik, it's certainly possible to get a core of facts together.
anna2/MT - I was just wondering what eimmik could do. As if she had not already thought about it herself....
cath22 - yes eimmik... i agree...
Yorick - No solutions except maybe prayer.
cath22 - yes Yorick.. and also a lot of pulling and working together....
Sylvia/CA - Since I work with mostly an immigrant population of 1 or 2 or 3generations I LOVE to hear their stories!.. (And they like the fact that we care to listen to their stories!)
Kathleen - Standing up for what is right is one possibility. Not always easy.
mary - logged off.--- (165.247.37.103 - Fri Oct 29 7:03pm)
enzy - logged off.--- (206.150.180.153 - Fri Oct 29 7:03pm)
cath22 - i love to hear about their backgrounds too.. their different family lives and upbringings... the expectations....
eimmik - wait till I have tenure kat! Cant do that now....no unions here remember?
anna2/MT - I do too! Working in a place where I am a cultural minority - get to learn every day...
Sylvia/CA - I invite parents to come in to talk to all my students, and the shy ones come to talk to me individually.. but either way, we learn from each other...
eimmik - Thanks for this discussion,. I hope to see us pick it up next month
Shell - Each teacher plays a part in the solution in his/her own way, it may be something we won't see in our lifetime here, but we can feel confident we are making a difference, we are each doing a part just being here chatting, to bring harmony. I hope all of you, along with your frustrations, feel pride and joy in the opportunity to play your part, my own children benefit, my school students benefit and I do too. Have a great weekend!
anna2/MT - Thanks for the discussion! An hour never went by so quickly!
cath22 - it went by SOOOOOOO quickly!!!!! THANKS!!! everyone for participating
