Summary

EDCI 755 Multicultural Issues in Teaching

This course provides an overview of historical, intellectual, social and political foundations of multicultural
education. The purpose of this course was to introduce the major issues affecting education by exploring current
controversies that may influence schools and teachers. This course also identifies ways to design and implement effective
teaching strategies that reflect ethnic and cultural diversity.
This course taught me to think about and be more aware how multiculturalism can be created in our curriculum
needs and how to successfully implement it into our teaching. One of the most important lessons and advice that I have
learned because of this course is that, when teaching about different cultural and ethnic groups teachers should allow the
students the opportunity to interpret the information and facts so they can develop their own attitudes, ideas, and
perceptions without being persuaded by their teachers. In our course textbook, Banks stated that, The attitudes, behavior,
and the perceptions of classroom teachers have a significant influence on the social atmosphere of the school and the
attitudes of students. I could not agree more. The teachers attitude, behavior and perception will set the tone for the
environment in the classroom and students feed off of their environment.
In our course textbook it was stated that, research indicates that a schools rejection of a students home language
affects the students self-esteem, academic achievement, and social and occupational mobility. Conversely, a schools
acceptance and use of a students home language improves the students self-esteem, academic achievement, and
relationships among students in a school. This statement influenced me to make sure I know my students multicultural
needs. One of the many examples in our textbook talked about having the students take a survey at the beginning of the
year asking what languages they spoke other than English. This is a great way to begin assessing exactly what type(s) of
multiculturalism can be created in your classroom curriculum throughout the year. Also, there needs to be a strong
emphasis on professional development for the opportunity for teachers to have training on integrating multiculturalism
into their curriculum. Similar to the training on other topics integrated into their curriculum(s). In order to bring
multiculturalism into our classrooms, teachers need to be adequately prepared to teach ethnically diverse students.
This course has inspired me to become more aware, spread the word, start conversations and create opportunities
for reform multiculturalism not only into my class curriculum but also in our whole school environment and staff
development programs.