Reflection #4 EDF 2085

It is important to understand that diversity not only means to belong to a different culture but it covers more terrain, like human knowledge and behavior. A diversity course is necessary to be able to accept and welcome the inevitable changes we will experience in our profession. It seems it was long ago when teachers taught using a black chalkboard and students had to turn in their homework on paper. As a global society we find people from different ethnicities living together and the same occurs in a classroom. In a small space we find children from all over the world with their distinctive personalities, learning capabilities, and physical/mental setbacks that classifies them as individuals. An open mind is required to assimilate their differences and not be judgmental of their abilities.

I think that even if one is well prepared to deal with diversity, we will always find new situations that will provide more experience and help us become more tolerant. Growing up in different countries provides one with a more culture-based knowledge on how to be more accepting of others. I was born in Cuba, where diversity is not as distinctive, and raised in Chile. The hardest part about moving was that my family and I had to somewhat put aside our style of living and accommodate to the one in Chile. I accepted their lifestyle like celebrating the country’s independence, incorporating part of the Chilean language into mine, and eating their foods. While I attended high school here in the United States, I shared a piano class with two blind students and I became friends with one of them after the teacher asked me to help him go to another class. That day I met Omar, a fun and sometimes-stubborn person, he played the piano very well and received private lessons from a professor of the University of Miami. I alone would have never approached him in class because I felt pity for him but knowing him was truly a refreshing and inspiring experience. To be able to become more diverse I need to know how to approach children with certain disabilities, I believe this is the missing link that I need to become skilled at to fully incorporate diversity into my life.