Diversity is the presence of a wide range of various things, people, or ideas, encompassing variations in culture, background, identity, beliefs, experiences, and perspectives. Diversity is more than just a buzzword; it embraces a multitude of contrasts. The word cannot be defined with a fixed definition; it includes many places of origin where it can be applied, including a wide range of different people, perspectives, or things within a group. In this case, it is applied within our school and community. When diversity is effectively implemented within the classroom, it can teach students to become more self-aware, potentially improving their academic outcomes.
At its core, diversity in schools means more than just having students from different cultures in the same building. Representation ensures those cultures are acknowledged in lessons, books, activities and school leadership. According to Syracuse University, when students see identities reflected in what they study, experts say they feel a stronger sense of belonging.
Representation of culture is how cultures, identities, and experiences are portrayed in media, art, and society which shapes perceptions and affirms identities. At Fruita, classes like ASL, Spanish and German provide a wide range of cultural advantages. By supplying these classes, it brings students cultural awareness, gaining insights into different worldviews, which breaks down cultural barriers and fosters a deeper understanding as well as empathy. The Spanish student teacher Autumn Cunningham stated, “The biggest thing, in my opinion, is that learning different languages gives students more perspective on other cultures and how other people view the world. You have to understand that it is hard to learn another language.”
As schools have become more culturally diverse, bringing together students from different backgrounds, languages, and traditions has caused educators and researchers to say this shift is not only changing what classrooms look like, it is also improving how students learn, interact, and prepare for the future. Culturally inclusive classrooms and teaching can increase participation, attendance and motivation. When lessons include perspectives from around the world, students gain a deeper understanding of history, literature and current events. They also develop critical thinking skills by learning to consider viewpoints different from their own. Kimi Pace, the author of the article “The Importance of Diversity in the Classroom” from WGU, states, “This helps them think critically, challenge preconceived ideas, and deepen their understanding of the world. For example, a history lesson can be enriched by having students share how the same event is taught in their home cultures.”
According to the article “The Importance of Diversity in the Classroom” by Kimi Pace from WGU, the benefits of diversity are that it brings new perspectives, improves learning outcomes and self-efficacy in learning, leads to better discussions among students, prepares students for the future, and fosters creativity. Having different perspectives can aid in creating a more interconnected view of the world. Creating an educational space with a variety of identities essentially produces students that are more self-aware of others and themselves. When an individual is exposed to those with a different lived experience than themselves, they are challenged to not only see the world from someone else’s point of view but also think more critically about their own. To be able to be confronted with a variety of viewpoints challenges us as humans to understand ourselves better, and check unconscious biases before being quick to judge or question others different from ourselves. An example of an effort to limit unconscious biases and judgments within Fruita Monument is the Culture fair being held on April 9th to promote the representation of cultures. The Fruita Monument Culture fair aims to provide the opportunity for FMHS students and community members to explore cultures outside of their own. As a result, the goal is that these individuals will be able to broaden their perceptions of culture beyond what is immediately apparent and in front of them.
How can you help to ensure that representation is prominent within your community? What can be done? Promoting and creating an inclusive environment that allows all people around you to feel safe, valued, cared for, and seen. You can support underrepresented groups to elevate their voices. Improve communication. Use resources like social media and newsletters that reflect the community’s demographic, including multiple languages. Lastly, establish actionable feedback by being specific when speaking up and speaking out.
As classrooms continue to reflect the changing world outside their walls, one message is clear; schools that embrace diversity and cultural representation are not only more inclusive, they are better equipped to help every student succeed.
