Diversity Major Assessment
Content
Running head: DIVERSITY
1
Diversity Major Assessment
Angela Harden
Walden University
Masters in Science of Education
E-Portfolio-Transition Point 3
October 23, 2015
DIVERSITY
2
Diversity
As an educator in a majority low income community the diversity I experience is not
really racially based. My experiences come from a diverse range of students; from boys and
girls, struggling students to advanced students, and low income to middle classed students. In
order to be an effective educator especially in the 21st century, you learn to adapt your teaching
methods to fit their unique situation or learning style.
Usually the students are the ones that have to adapt to the teacher, however now it's the
teacher's job to adapt to each individual student in order to reach them. Teaching in the 21st
century brings many teachers out of their comfort zone, but through PLCs and Professional
Developments they help make teaching new things more comfortable. There is no more using
just paper and pencil to help students learn, now we have to use a wide range of resources in
order to aid and guide all of our students.
Although my students do not differ from the other students in the classroom, that does not
make my classroom any less diverse. There is still a wide range of experiences and lifestyles that
make each student in my class unique. Every single person in this enormously diverse and ever
changing system has the power to serve as a invaluable resource for all others, students, teachers,
and the community as a whole (Cummins, Brown, & Sawyer, 2007).
I know as an educator I have many strengths and weaknesses. Every day I learn
something new and since I've been in this program I've been exposed to a wide range of
strategies that will enable me to become a more effective educator. According to Walden's
Diversity Proficiency Self-Assessment my strengths relate to understanding how cultures, family,
and communities influence how my students understand, as well as knowing the needs of my
DIVERSITY
3
struggling learners to support them academically. My weaknesses come from trying to meet their
individual needs in differentiated ways.
Through the years I did get an opportunity to teach a 1st grade ELL student from Yemen.
He came to me not knowing much English . With the workshop I went to and just plain old
nurturing and teaching experience, I was able to help him learn sufficient English and become
academically successful.
The set up of my classroom is also important to the academic success of all students. I
have tables so my students are always in a group. I group them according to their instructional
level which I learned through our universal screener. I also have a print rich classroom so
everywhere my students look they see alphabets, days of the week, months of the year, and sight
words from the previous stories. This allows them to constantly be exposed to things needed to
strive and succeed.
My classroom is usually between twenty-one to twenty-six students each year. Being able
to meet all of their needs is a constant struggle for me. I also have two students with special
needs in my class and that too is a struggle. The reason why is because I am in the classroom
alone with no assistant and no inclusion teacher coming in. Because of this reason all of my extra
energy is spent trying to make sure the accommodations on their IEP is met. Although I have the
groups set up by academic level, even within those groups I find it hard to find ways to ensure all
of my students are getting individualized instruction that does not mean that they aren't a part of
everyday life in my classroom. Although it's difficult sometimes, I still find ways to show my
students that they can succeed. Whenever I step into my classroom my goal is always to help
facilitate my students' pursuit for knowledge and help them acquire the communication, problem
solving, and critical thinking skills that will enable them to be life-long learners.
DIVERSITY
4
One thing that has helped me gain more skills in my classroom is through professional
development and PLCs. Collaborating with my colleagues keeps me focused and engaged on
tasks inside my classroom. Going to classrooms and observing different styles of teaching has
motivated me to try new ideas within the classroom. Not only does professional development
help me become better at teaching but the classes I'm taking here at Walden as well.
As a teacher my number one priority is student success. For one student it might mean
getting a good grade while the others my view their success by increase improvement. Any type
of success is great for not only the students but the teacher as well.
To continue on this journey of trying to help my students to succeed I must have goals set
for myself. I feel that I am on the road to growing in this profession. That means keeping up with
the latest information through courses, workshops, and of course PLCs. These things are helping
me become the effective teacher I am striving to become.
Another thing I am trying to do is vary my instructional techniques and not get stuck in a
day to day routine that is boring. Instead of having a differentiated activity for one or two groups,
I want to have a variety of them for all groups. I especially want them to accommodate the many
learning styles that are in my class. Making sure my students have every opportunity to succeed
is one of my biggest goals.
The wide range of experiences and perspectives brought to school by culturally,
academically, and even socially diverse students offer a powerful resource for everyone to learn
more in different ways, in new environments, and with different types of people (Epstein &
Sheldon, 2007). The growing diversity in classrooms encourages the development and use of
diverse teaching strategies designed to respond to each student as an individual. To me this will
help my goal get accomplished.
DIVERSITY
.
5
DIVERSITY
6
Reference
Cummins, J., Brown, K., & Sayers, D. (2007). Literacy, technology, and diversity:
Teaching for success in changing times. Boston: Pearson/Allyn and Bacon.
Epstein, J.L., & Sheldon, S.B. (2006). Moving forward: Ideas for research on school,
family, and community partnerships. In C.F. Conrad & K Serlin (Eds.), SAGE handbook for
research in education; Engaging ideas and enriching inquiry (pp. 117-138). Thousand Oaks, CA
SAGE
DIVERSITY
1 _____
2 _____
Expectations for the Week 7 Reflective Essay
EDUC 6657R
Organization of Paper
An introductory paragraph that includes the purpose of this paper and the
grade level and/or subject area you teach.
The essay also includes a concluding paragraph that summarizes the main
points of the essay and signals the end of the paper.
Content: Reflective Essay
1 ______
2 _____
3______
4 ____
5 _____
6_____
7_____
1_____
2____
7
After reflecting on your initial responses in the Week One “Classroom
Management Self-Inventory”, indicate in which areas your learning from this
course will result in the most significant changes in your classroom practice.
Explain the impact that these changes will have on:
o student behavior,
o student learning, and
o your sense of self-efficacy as a teacher.
Identify areas in which you would like to experience more professional
growth and explain why you have selected these areas.
Describe the steps you can take to further pursue your learning in these
areas.
Describe what impact your new knowledge and skills will have on you
and your students.
After reviewing your response to the self-inventory in which you
summarized your current approach to classroom management, explain how
you would revise this summary (or why you would not) based on your
learning in this course.
Use at least 2 references (one reference using course materials and a
second reference from an outside source.
Use of APA Citations, References & Format
Citations - used APA style citations as described in The Walden Writing
Center’s guide to APA citation.
References – as in the Walden Writing Center’s Guide, for course materials
and outside sources.
DIVERSITY
1 ____
2 _____
3 ____
4 ____
5 ____
Professional Presentation
A properly formatted cover page with header was included.
The essay was the required 2-3.
The essay had little to no grammatical or spelling errors.
The essay was in 12-pt. font with 1-inch margins & double-spaced.
The paper followed the Walden writing template.
8
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1
Diversity Major Assessment
Angela Harden
Walden University
Masters in Science of Education
E-Portfolio-Transition Point 3
October 23, 2015
DIVERSITY
2
Diversity
As an educator in a majority low income community the diversity I experience is not
really racially based. My experiences come from a diverse range of students; from boys and
girls, struggling students to advanced students, and low income to middle classed students. In
order to be an effective educator especially in the 21st century, you learn to adapt your teaching
methods to fit their unique situation or learning style.
Usually the students are the ones that have to adapt to the teacher, however now it's the
teacher's job to adapt to each individual student in order to reach them. Teaching in the 21st
century brings many teachers out of their comfort zone, but through PLCs and Professional
Developments they help make teaching new things more comfortable. There is no more using
just paper and pencil to help students learn, now we have to use a wide range of resources in
order to aid and guide all of our students.
Although my students do not differ from the other students in the classroom, that does not
make my classroom any less diverse. There is still a wide range of experiences and lifestyles that
make each student in my class unique. Every single person in this enormously diverse and ever
changing system has the power to serve as a invaluable resource for all others, students, teachers,
and the community as a whole (Cummins, Brown, & Sawyer, 2007).
I know as an educator I have many strengths and weaknesses. Every day I learn
something new and since I've been in this program I've been exposed to a wide range of
strategies that will enable me to become a more effective educator. According to Walden's
Diversity Proficiency Self-Assessment my strengths relate to understanding how cultures, family,
and communities influence how my students understand, as well as knowing the needs of my
DIVERSITY
3
struggling learners to support them academically. My weaknesses come from trying to meet their
individual needs in differentiated ways.
Through the years I did get an opportunity to teach a 1st grade ELL student from Yemen.
He came to me not knowing much English . With the workshop I went to and just plain old
nurturing and teaching experience, I was able to help him learn sufficient English and become
academically successful.
The set up of my classroom is also important to the academic success of all students. I
have tables so my students are always in a group. I group them according to their instructional
level which I learned through our universal screener. I also have a print rich classroom so
everywhere my students look they see alphabets, days of the week, months of the year, and sight
words from the previous stories. This allows them to constantly be exposed to things needed to
strive and succeed.
My classroom is usually between twenty-one to twenty-six students each year. Being able
to meet all of their needs is a constant struggle for me. I also have two students with special
needs in my class and that too is a struggle. The reason why is because I am in the classroom
alone with no assistant and no inclusion teacher coming in. Because of this reason all of my extra
energy is spent trying to make sure the accommodations on their IEP is met. Although I have the
groups set up by academic level, even within those groups I find it hard to find ways to ensure all
of my students are getting individualized instruction that does not mean that they aren't a part of
everyday life in my classroom. Although it's difficult sometimes, I still find ways to show my
students that they can succeed. Whenever I step into my classroom my goal is always to help
facilitate my students' pursuit for knowledge and help them acquire the communication, problem
solving, and critical thinking skills that will enable them to be life-long learners.
DIVERSITY
4
One thing that has helped me gain more skills in my classroom is through professional
development and PLCs. Collaborating with my colleagues keeps me focused and engaged on
tasks inside my classroom. Going to classrooms and observing different styles of teaching has
motivated me to try new ideas within the classroom. Not only does professional development
help me become better at teaching but the classes I'm taking here at Walden as well.
As a teacher my number one priority is student success. For one student it might mean
getting a good grade while the others my view their success by increase improvement. Any type
of success is great for not only the students but the teacher as well.
To continue on this journey of trying to help my students to succeed I must have goals set
for myself. I feel that I am on the road to growing in this profession. That means keeping up with
the latest information through courses, workshops, and of course PLCs. These things are helping
me become the effective teacher I am striving to become.
Another thing I am trying to do is vary my instructional techniques and not get stuck in a
day to day routine that is boring. Instead of having a differentiated activity for one or two groups,
I want to have a variety of them for all groups. I especially want them to accommodate the many
learning styles that are in my class. Making sure my students have every opportunity to succeed
is one of my biggest goals.
The wide range of experiences and perspectives brought to school by culturally,
academically, and even socially diverse students offer a powerful resource for everyone to learn
more in different ways, in new environments, and with different types of people (Epstein &
Sheldon, 2007). The growing diversity in classrooms encourages the development and use of
diverse teaching strategies designed to respond to each student as an individual. To me this will
help my goal get accomplished.
DIVERSITY
.
5
DIVERSITY
6
Reference
Cummins, J., Brown, K., & Sayers, D. (2007). Literacy, technology, and diversity:
Teaching for success in changing times. Boston: Pearson/Allyn and Bacon.
Epstein, J.L., & Sheldon, S.B. (2006). Moving forward: Ideas for research on school,
family, and community partnerships. In C.F. Conrad & K Serlin (Eds.), SAGE handbook for
research in education; Engaging ideas and enriching inquiry (pp. 117-138). Thousand Oaks, CA
SAGE
DIVERSITY
1 _____
2 _____
Expectations for the Week 7 Reflective Essay
EDUC 6657R
Organization of Paper
An introductory paragraph that includes the purpose of this paper and the
grade level and/or subject area you teach.
The essay also includes a concluding paragraph that summarizes the main
points of the essay and signals the end of the paper.
Content: Reflective Essay
1 ______
2 _____
3______
4 ____
5 _____
6_____
7_____
1_____
2____
7
After reflecting on your initial responses in the Week One “Classroom
Management Self-Inventory”, indicate in which areas your learning from this
course will result in the most significant changes in your classroom practice.
Explain the impact that these changes will have on:
o student behavior,
o student learning, and
o your sense of self-efficacy as a teacher.
Identify areas in which you would like to experience more professional
growth and explain why you have selected these areas.
Describe the steps you can take to further pursue your learning in these
areas.
Describe what impact your new knowledge and skills will have on you
and your students.
After reviewing your response to the self-inventory in which you
summarized your current approach to classroom management, explain how
you would revise this summary (or why you would not) based on your
learning in this course.
Use at least 2 references (one reference using course materials and a
second reference from an outside source.
Use of APA Citations, References & Format
Citations - used APA style citations as described in The Walden Writing
Center’s guide to APA citation.
References – as in the Walden Writing Center’s Guide, for course materials
and outside sources.
DIVERSITY
1 ____
2 _____
3 ____
4 ____
5 ____
Professional Presentation
A properly formatted cover page with header was included.
The essay was the required 2-3.
The essay had little to no grammatical or spelling errors.
The essay was in 12-pt. font with 1-inch margins & double-spaced.
The paper followed the Walden writing template.
8
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