Diversity in the classroom proves beneficial to students

Our community and school district are becoming more diverse. We are a reflection of what is happening in our country. Diversity is increasing everyday. Today in the United States, one in four Americans belongs to a minority or is foreign-born, and today’s workplace is more diverse than it has ever been in history.

For our children, coming to school and learning in a classroom with students from diverse backgrounds has many advantages. One benefit is that students who have interactions with people of all races, cultures, academic abilities, and people with handicapping conditions learn acceptance and tolerance. Researchers have found that students with experiences in a school with a diverse student population throw out any prejudices they might have and become more accepting of an individual’s differences.

Because of the diversity in our classrooms, our students are learning about different backgrounds, cultures, and customs in the most natural way possible, through their daily interactions with other students in their classroom and school. Through these positive interactions, our students will leave our schools capable of entering the world of work or further education ready to successfully interact and learn side-by-side with people of different backgrounds and cultures.

Our teachers and school personnel are trained to help students value and accept the differences each child brings into the classroom. When a problem does arise, the teacher or other professional is there to help each student learn to work successfully with others and to help students develop problem-solving and other life skills important to accepting diversity.

Getting to know people from different cultures and backgrounds makes living in a diverse society both educational and interesting. The trained and caring educational professionals of our school district are always on hand and ready to help our students with diversity issues.

To contact Kirby, call (937) 237-6300 or e-mail william. kirby@huberheightscity schools.org.

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