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EDU 541
Diversity Paper
By
Anthony Lopez
I would define diversity as the distinctness between people; it is more than just one group
being different than another. Rather, I would go as far to say that diversity is an individual to
achievement level, and socioeconomic level. Thus, for example, two people from the same
2. What diverse group(s) do you belong to, if any? Explain how membership in this diverse
Although I would like to consider myself Hispanic, being one quarter Mexican, I would
actually describe myself as Caucasian because I cannot speak or read Spanish and because I do
not incorporate any of the Hispanic aspects of life. However, I am able to respect those of
Hispanic culture. I am also Catholic, and therefore believe that I am diverse from other religious
groups. Being Catholic has shown me that many people might call themselves Catholic but not
practice the faith, and therefore I would even note that there are diverse groups of Catholics.
My interests of mathematics and analytical aspects allows me to notice that there are
specific people that get along because of common interests; this is why teachers of similar fields
are able to easily get along together. Being in different achievement levels, my level being
average to slightly above average, truly separates students into different diverse groups. I notice
that I get along better with people of my achievement level because they don’t look down on me
or expect me to know everything. Lastly, I am from the low-middle socioeconomic class, where
just like achievement the people in the same grouping are better able to get along due to not
settings?
I notice that even though people do their best to not judge or assume about certain diverse
groups, it still happens. For example, people see my last name and expect this Mexican looking
person to arrive. However, I look nothing like I am Hispanic; I am more German and I look it!
Also, people expect me to speak Spanish fluently, yet I cannot. As for being Catholic, I have
noticed once again that people again expect things out of me. People want me to be this quiet
little innocent person who would never lie or cuss or be mean, but this is impossible! Every one
messes up and does something or says something that is regrettable. However, being Catholic I
immediately get glares and dejection even though some other person who is not Catholic may
speak or act worse than me. What I have learned is that these experiences are created through
unintended subconscious stereotypes that all people want to believe to be true. As I have learned
it is wrong to expect that these will go away, instead we need to change how we act upon these
stereotypes.
One big assumption that I have is that most Hispanics are Catholic. Although this fact
used to be almost completely true, the fact is that it is not currently the case. Thus, I assume
many people are religious that are not, and I begin to look at them through Catholic lenses
instead of individual lenses. Another assumption I make is that most lower-achieving students
are troublemakers. I think this is more of a correlation and not a causation, meaning I cannot
5. What are the sources of your diverse groups’ perceptions (e.g., friends/relatives, media,
I think the most of my perceptions and assumptions come from past experiences and
stereotypes. When I see something happen multiple times within one diverse group that follows a
stereotype, then I somehow make an unintended connection that leaves an imprint on my thought
process. Now, these perceptions and assumptions may be strengthened by the other factors, like
people I know or what I read, but the majority stems through past experiences and stereotypes.
6. How will you learn more about your students’ and colleagues’ diverse backgrounds not
diverse from others. Yes, we may see that they take part in one diverse group and another diverse
group, but they are an individual first. If I can confront and converse with people, while seeing
them as individuals, then I can start to knock out any preconceptions and assumptions that I may
7. How do you respond to your students (emotionally, cognitively, and behaviorally) based
on these perceptions?
I currently have not taught students other than in early experience, but I have begun
preparing for how I may interact with my future students. I believe that earlier on in my studies I
would have responded more inaccurately, probably giving in to the stereotypes; expecting
However, through research, I have discovered that I must interact differently between students of
different groups: lower- and higher-achieving students, students in poverty and those that are not,
and students from different ethnic backgrounds all learn differently and behavior differently.
Thus, I must learn what is best for each diverse group while working with them.
As I said before, I am still working on how I will interact with these students. One note
though, is that different teaching strategies affect the diverse groups. For example, collaboration
may work better with lower-achieving students while lecturing may be more beneficial for
student will fit the mold: these should be guidelines to determine what each individual class will
9. How do you adapt your teaching practices to be more responsive to the unique needs of
The best way to adapt instructional strategies in response to the unique needs of diverse
student groups would be to be flexible. It is good to introduce certain methods that may have past
success, or successful research, but each diverse group should not be defined by the past. A
teacher must always be looking for a better way of instruction, recreating their methods and
10. What other knowledge, skills and resources would help you teach from a more
I would be able to teach more from a culturally inclusive perspective through pure
experience. Since I have little experience, the most beneficial factor will be to become immersed
in the different diverse groups. So far I have only heard or read about these different diverse
groups. To truly have the knowledge, skills, and resources make sense for me would be to see it