Intercultural Diversity and Inclusion in the Classroom

Kevin Dolan – Adjunct Math Department

SLCC Adjunct Faculty Academy 2012-2013

Definitions

Multicultural Education • Values cultural differences • Affirms the pluralism that students and teachers reflect.  • Challenges all forms of discrimination in schools and societyDiversity• Sum of the ways that people are both alike and different. • The dimensions of diversity include race, ethnicity, gender,

sexual orientation, language, culture, religion, mental and physical ability, class, and immigration status.

Inclusion• How people of all backgrounds are involved, their

perspectives valued, their needs understood

• Denver Public Schools; 2003; http://diversity.dpsk12.org/definitions

Education and InclusionSLCC’s Mission

“Salt Lake Community College is . . . committed to

serving the broader community. . . Its mission is

to provide quality higher education and lifelong

learning to people of diverse cultures, abilities, and

ages. . .”-SLCC mission statement; 2012

Education and InclusionSLCC’s Mission

Our students’ diversity includes

• Ethnic & Int’l Background• Age• Work Experience• Education• Gender

Can we address all of these at once?

Minimizing Divisive Impact

We must address these issues

“Although cultural differences can never be completely

abrogated . . . we do in fact know major conditions which

will reduce the divisive impact of cultural differences”

Roland Tharp; Systemic Reform: Perspectives on Personalizing Education--Sept. 1994

How Do We Accomplish our Mission?

• Be aware of Diversity of all types• Share SLCC Vision, Mission, & Learning

Outcomes

• Learn about your students’ background• Create a learning environment that

minimizes cultural differences• Assess our teaching by

talking to students

Kaizen – Continuous Improvement

And then keep checking our progress . . . With every class!

Quotes on Diversity

“It is never too late to give up your prejudices”

― Henry David Thoreau

“Strength lies in differences, not in similarities” –Steven R. Covey

“How can you govern a country which has 246 varieties of cheese?”

― Charles de Gaulle