Misconceptions and Lack of Diversity

[Clarissa Guzman]

The most obvious observation I have made about diversity is the lack of it. Both first and second hour are predominantly white students. About half of second hour is composed of athletes, the most dominating one being volleyball girls. For some odd reason, there seems to be more girls in the both of the classes but I believe that is because they are the loudest, which is interesting. For example, in second hour the girls seem to participate more, or at least that is what I noticed from this past week when they were discussing the Great Depression, Migrant workers, and the American Dream.

Considering that there is a male Language Arts teachers, it is amazing to see that having male role models doesn’t necessarily influence more voices from the male students (Wells-Wilbon & Holland 2001). Although I do wonder whether there would be less participation if it were a female teacher instead. Another observation I have also noticed is that Mr.DuBe doesn’t really attract the participation from students of color except from one in second hour. Bella seems to be mixed race but is always so active and participating. However, especially this past week with the conversation about the American Dream, I believe that the students of color must have some thoughts in mind, but they never raised their hands to participate. I know I shouldn’t make the connection that just because they are students of color they should have something to say, but I do think that everyone experiences life differently and have something to contribute to the conversation.

This past week the students researched the Great Depression, Migrant workers, and the American Dream. I really admired the way Mr. DuBe responded to a students statement in class. The student mentioned that migrant workers don’t speak English well. Mr. DuBe responded by saying that that was a misconception about migrant workers because most of the men from Of Mice and Men spoke perfectly good English. Mr. DuBe did not shame the student but clearly explained why we should reconsider claims we made about people.

I definitely think that if there was more cooperation in class, rather than the individualized work and set up of the classroom where all the students look to the front, there would be more space for students to learn about different backgrounds. Cooperation would introduce students to disagreements, discussion, and teaching one another (Slavin 1991) whether it be based on their background, experiences, or learning strategies.

Other Observations:

As I am approaching my last week working with some students consistently, I am sad to leave them. Without putting myself on a pedestal, I think a lot about the impact of POCs as role models in a classroom. I can’t say that I have made a huge difference in the classroom but I see how Sabrin and Nelly have warmed up to me. They are both one of the few students of color in the class and I have had some nice conversations with them outside of the classroom as we walk to the hallway chairs. Even just reading their essays and essay outlines, I feel like I have learned so much about them.

I especially think about Tristan as well. He really opened up to me the first day, which was really nice to see. I worry a little about the years to come in high school. I know he doesn’t enjoy writing and he misses a lot of class. I recently learned that he is neurodivergent and that he receives help outside of the classroom, but even then I don’t know if they have patience with him or have created a relationship with him. I do hope that he has felt seen when I have worked with him at the very least.

Besides my emotions leaving my students, I have really enjoyed how Mr. DuBe incorporates interest journals as well as reading time into class time. I love how he has focused on the process of writing and how to develop students’ writing and reading skills by making it a part of the classroom.

[Lauren Bundy]

It sounds like it’s been an interesting week! I’m sure that observing a lesson on the American Dream is a revealing lens for discussing diversity in the classroom. I wonder if some of the students of color who you feel have thoughts in mind about the topic are choosing not to participate because they’re in an environment where other students are perpetuating misconceptions, such as the one you mention about migrant workers not speaking English well. I’m glad that Mr. DuBe seems to be trying to make the classroom environment more comfortable for everyone though. It’s also touching to read about how you’ve contributed to that environment as well as you’ve gotten to know some of the students you’re working with.

Your post seems to me to highlight some good steps towards inclusion in the classroom—addressing stereotypes (using the course material, no less!) and providing role models for students, for instance—but also underscores how much progress is left to be made. Your observations of individual students like Bella and Tristan also serve as a good reminder that, while the social groups that students belong to may shape their experiences, at the end of the day we have to look at students as individuals with unique perspectives that can’t necessarily be generalized.

[Author]

Posts