differences make up the classroom

The culturally competent teacher communicates in ways that demonstrate sensitivity to sociocultural and linguistic differences, using a variety of verbal and non-verbal communication techniques that encourage positive social interaction and support learning in their classroom.

As a teacher, one must always expect the worst, but hope for the best. In any classroom discussion, there is the possibility that the most innocent statement may cause any kind of reaction from any one of the students present. At The Little Zoo, it's not so much an issue as it might be in a junior high or high school. The worst word that comes out of the mouths of some of these kids is "stupid" or "dumb." Whenever I worked with my children, I wanted them to feel comfortable with me and each other, and I wanted them to be excited about the games that we would play to help them learn. From the very first day, I made sure I always had a smile on my face, which wasn't a problem at all. These kids were so friendly and inviting, I felt so welcome by the entire classroom, even the children that weren't in my group and that I had never personally met. It's rather difficult to keep a bad attitude on when you're surrounded by six year olds that are coloring pictures to learn words that begin with the sound of the letter m.

I've already mentioned that I started to incorporate Spanish words and phrases in my activities with the kids. I immediately noticed that the kids were a little surprised and very happy that I had reached to this part of their lives, and that I wanted to learn more about it. At the same time, I couldn't just say "I incorporated Spanish in the lesson, job's done." There were other issues that might not have been as prominent. These kids need to learn from this young age that school can be a safe place for them, that regardless of the language they speak at home, or how much money their family might have, that they can come to school and have the same right as everyone else to learn and to live up to their dreams.

Because I plan on going into Secondary Education, I will most likely have to deal with bigger issues than who has the newest Cars sneakers or who saw the Alvin and the Chipmunks Movie and whose family can't afford to go to the movies. Megan Boler in her article "All Speech Is Not Free" brings up the concept of Affirmative Action Pedagogy. Not only does this include creating a space for the marginalized voices to be heard, but it also requires all voices to be accountable for what they say. In the classrooms I have tutored in this year, it would require the teacher making sure that even those children that may not be as advanced as the other kids felt that they could speak up in class, without fear that the kids might call them dumb. In a high school classroom, it would be making sure that those who might be gay don't get offended by other people's crude remarks. I want to be the teacher that people feel comfortable with, and safe in my classroom. I plan on holding every student accountable for any comment that might hurt or offend anyone else, even if they might not be present in the classroom or the school.

I saw a little bit of this in my kindergarten classroom, not in such a way, but similarly. One little boy, Shark*, turned around in the middle of reciting the alphabet and hit the boy sitting behind him. The teacher made sure to stop right then and there and ask Shark why he did that. Shark just shrugged, and the teacher told everyone in the class that they should never hit one another, especially if they didn't have a reason! Mostly in the classroom, I noticed that neither of the teachers made an effort to use linguistic differences to their advantage. It was almost puzzling to me, because I saw the classroom full of these bright young kids, but overheard one of the teachers talking to someone else and saying "They don't know what it's like; they all just need to learn and speak English." Like Lisa Delpit, I agree that in order to succeed in this country, people need to learn English, but I don't think that they should be forced to rid themselves of their culture and language at the same time. Instead, I think the teachers should focus on helping the children embrace these differences and using them to their own advantage.