Random Comments

Even when doing a survey often a researcher is confronted with unexpected data in the form of comments written in the margins of the survey. Below are comments written by teachers in a survey of teaching practices used by teachers in multicultural settings. Annie Lopez was the researcher and the teachers were in a private religious school system in North America.

 

All were created by God, and is of great value, Jesus died for each one.

All are loved by Jesus, Jesus changes lives and attitudes.

Although I resisted, I was compelled to take a Human Relations (cultural diversity) course this summer as part of courses required to become Iowa State certified. I already felt I was pretty much culturally aware having taught for 7 years in New Jersey where I was a minority in my classroom. However, I soon came to look forward to the class. It was much more than learning about other cultures. In fact that was not the emphasis . The focus was looking at each individual on a wonderfully made-valuable person.

At first I felt intimidate taking the class with Public School teachers. But I was validated as a human being. The class was intensely spiritual for me. I would recommend the format to everyone. Every teaching in Iowa must obtain an Iowa-State teaching certificate and in the process must take this 3 credit hour Human Relations course.

As a teacher I am very tired of politically written History. Let history be a lesson, stop rewriting to fit our current needs.

As you may already sense, I am opposed to any instruction that singles out a group to provide special cultural education for. Learning about various cultures and customs is important, but when a person comes to America, he/she should attempt to fit their culture in an American setting, not demand that America should conform to their culture.

Being married to a Latin American has helped me to be very comfortable with the culture. We were very involved with the international club and have many multicultural friends. I minored in Spanish which I believe has been one of the most effective tools in relating to/ teaching students from other cultures.

Seems like if we stress cooperation and tolerance, the students would also be accomplishing the other goals.

Discrimination and prejudice will cease to be part of our vocabulary if we respect each other to take responsibility and cease teaching children to be prejudicial. Adults must take responsibility for this.
For over a hundred years people who come to America have had to melt together. That is what America is. It is a struggle but our fathers have done it. Even without losing their heritage.
For my students I stress the importance of Christian unity and faith. Christianity is made up of many different people from all over the world. It is a bowl of fruit made up of oranges, bananas, apples, etc. Each fruit is unique and flavorful. God made them all.
Good teaching, and sensitivity to individual students need not be culturally specific.
Good luck. I once taught ESL classes, that's a true challenge with multicultural differences.
I have had a lot of children from different countries and they do not want to be anything but American.

I believe an all white Classroom is boring.

I believe children (and adults) should assimilate the culture in which they live, while still holding on to the elements that have made their other culture so meaningful, but not to the point of excluding themselves from their current cultural surroundings. For instance, if I moved to France I think it would be my obligation to learn the French language and important elements of how their culture operates, and not just expect everything to be done for me in English, just because I'm an American. Likewise, in my classroom, because we are a system set up to teach average kids and not kids who are special either above or below that standard, I expect my students to perform basic educational objective, regardless of ethnicity. I do not believe in catering to people because of their race. Assimilate, assimilate, assimilate!

I have always stressed that we are all the same/ different in some ways but all are special to God.
Some problems were not allowed to get bigger, we are all able to do something well. I
I have found that in second grade, generally it works better to teach tolerance and things we have in common rather than against prejudice. Spotlighting celebrations special foods, etc. works well also.
I don't think it is wise to focus on differences. It is much better to focus on the golden rule, the mission of sharing the gospel with every nation, tribe, tongue and people and being all things to all men.

I have students who bring literature in their native language for reading time. I don't have a large group that can read their dialect. Many of them speak the language only at home occasionally and have not had training to read it. Also we don't seem to have much ethnic prejudice in the class. Third graders seem to make their derogatory comments based on things like getting new glasses and the weight of classmates as opposed to ethnic slurs.

I believe our society gets into the pendulum mode on topics like this. It's all great to learn about cultures and appreciate our difference. I've lived in a lot of countries and we never expected them to cater to our needs and culture. If you come to a place you worked to fit in. We are a capitalist society not socialist and if people want to make it they need to learn how to live in this society. I don't believe we should alter our schools and things for diverse cultures. History has often been sad but it's over. We can't live in the past. We need to quit finding excuses for our problems and take responsibility for the future.

I tend to lose tolerance with the unpronounceable gender-ambiguous names included in text book exercises which attempt to give a multicultural flavor.

I am very glad to see this survey. I thought this subject was no longer important. I was on a committee to multiculturalize our textbooks and have written a research paper on multiculturalism. It's a fascinating topic the must be addressed more and more as our schools integrate so that teachers can provide timely education for all.

I feel that if a Child chooses to live in America he or she should learn the English language
I was teaching grades 5-8 at a Jr. Academy. My principal showed discrimination against blacks and Hispanics. From my 19 student classroom, I had two African Americans, 4 whites, and 13 Hispanics. This was a constant favoritism towards the white teachers and students. Many problems arouse because of these. After two years I asked for a transfer. My former students continued sharing with me that the problem continues in that school. I am happy that I'm not there. But sad that other students who are not whites are still suffering.

I have learned much about other cultures, a bit from travel, but mostly by association and friendships with those of other cultures. I also ask questions a lot. I've even learned to sample durianã an Asian fruit.

I have a position on these matters. Though I encourage my students who have ethnicity other than the US to learn their language of heritage, to both write and speak it; I also have a very firm belief that they must learn English to live in this country. If I were to go to another country to live, it would be not only a benefit but a responsibility to learnt that language fluently both written and spoken, so that I would be useful to the people of that country, and add whatever good things I could to it. Though God made the diversity, He expects unity of His people, worldwide. In His church there is no multiculturalism. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ. In the methods of life, language and lifestyles from country to country, those attributes and characteristics are fine. When we cross over, however, then it is when we face the fact of knowing and following where necessary both cultures instead of one.

I taught in a Public school system. Students are urban by culture and 90% African American.
I teach my students about God . He is coming soon and racial issues won't matter in Heaven.
I believe that the multicultural strategies should be no different than any other. No one needs to be made to feel different.

I prefer the assimilation model over enhancing differences. That is what made US great. Letting each group live in their own area with their own language will tear the country up eventually.
I don't believe we should teach students in their own languageã this only inhibits their ability to learn English. I also don't believe we should single out African-Americans for a month out of the year unless we intend to do the same for all other cultures and ethnic groups.
I have taught Hispanic students, Brazilian students and students from the Czech republic in addition to Caucasian and Negro children. The students most difficult for me to work with have been Hispanic (Mexican Origin). I think the reason is more of an attitude that is sensed. I believe that self-pride and self-worth are essential in order for a person to succeed in life. The Hispanic children I have taught have on the not had this self-esteem. Some of them also seem to resent those in authority who are not of their ethnic origin. The attitudes have varied according to parts of the State. In Central Texas, Hispanic students did not have this attitude as prevalently as students in South Texas. To me teaching all student s that Jesus loves them is of supreme importance, regardless of ethnic background. I have spent time in prayer to have my character change so that I am accepting of all students.
I am sick of multi-cultural educational emphasis.

I truly felt that teaching multiculturalism is very important. Living it is also extremely important.
However, everyone is unique in their own way, should be treated with respect and
individualistically. Backgrounds and cultures should be uplifted but not overly so, that the focus is taken off of the individuals.

I believe that we must all see each other as God's individual children. All of us do, after all, trace our roots back to Noah. Regardless of racial mixes in an individual classroom we must share and treasure our own cultures and respect and appreciate the culture of others. Even in an all white classroom we study African and Asian customs as well as from many other areas. In fact , African, Asian, Native American, and Northern European Countries. All countries often have several rich cultural areas.
I enjoy learning about and teaching about various cultures. Unfortunately, I have also had students transferred in from bilingual programs and I am not impressed. I had third graders who could not read either language. I think multicultural is preferable at the Elementary level. As far as asking for mor multicultural supplies, there are other things our school needs first. I teach at an inner city school with very limited funds. We have a parking lot for our playground, no ballfield, swings, jungle gym, etc. Two of our classrooms have to meet in the church's fellowship hall with dividers between and have to be put away every weekend. We'll be happy for current library materials and Anormal classrooms. (A classroom in California)

I appreciate your interest, I feel this is an important topic and vital for us to address.
I believe this is an issue the SDA education system need to take seriously. In my 13 student classroom only 2 students are from the same background as I am from Caucasian. This is representative of our entire school and other schools in our conference. I think that there are many teachers in this conference who could benefit from either Multicultural or global education.
I would be interested in the results of your findings. Thanks for giving this important issue your
attention.

I feel each family does this on their own. We need to make sure they can continue to do it, an let each child know they are special.

I had confrontations with African American students. They were not difficult to teach. They just did not get along with other students.

I think it is important to understand each family where the children live. Visiting each home and working with the parents helps the teacher and the children understand where each other comes from.
I am fed up with this culturally sensitive society that has developed in America.
I am very wary of the multicultural issue. I see it as being very divisive. America is a melting pot. People come here and should have an attitude of wanting to be Americans. We cannot risk dividing ourselves into ethnic groups. The stresses one group's superiority over another and leads to hatred. We must stress being an American citizen and what that holds for the person who wants to be an American.

I feel that for many teachers it is very important to have an action chapter of multicultural awareness and teaching built into the school system. For many teachers especially those who have never traveled outside of their own state, it is important to make them aware of other cultures through guest speakers. However, I feel it is important to have special speakers come and talk on many different topics, and not talk on culture or ethnic groups which separates that person by reason of the topic from their audience. It is much more effective to have a person from a different ethnic background to come present a topic of expertise to the group and be able to talk with the staff about educational topics versus putting that person on the spot and having them talk about the differences. Having an ethnic supper together and letting the staff bring different ethnic dishes of their origin and inviting several other people to come bring a dish - emphasizes how we all come from diverse backgrounds but are similar in many ways. In other words, focus on the similarities not the differences that would help a lot of teachers with their categorizing students.

I am currently finishing a graduate degree in ESL and have had the opportunity to teach in ESL Programs. I have more experience than most SDA teachers, I know in dealing with multicultural students. Most of our schools in Oregon are largely if not entirely white, which is a shame. Within our school of 50 plus students, we only have 4 or 5 who are not white. All of these have a Hispanic or Asian background, we have no African Americans. I try to bring in speakers of other cultures, introduce my students to literature from other cultures, discuss prejudice, and somehow get some understanding of other cultures, instilled in my student. I have great personal interest in other cultures having lived in Africa and Spain and I think that rubs off on the students as well.

I believe we need to move beyond the tolerance level to the caring level. I believe we can do this in Jesus. My emphasis is our wonderful uniqueness and God's wonderful ability to give us genuine love and caring for those vastly different than we are.

I treat kids like kids, I don't see them as white, black, Hispanic, etc. I guess if kids are kids and I am teaching them to be ready for heaven, then the differences between races and culture will become quite unimportant.

I believe we should emphasize that we are all Americans, not ethnic groups. Look at what ethnic emphasis has done to former Yugoslavia.

I feel that it is the family's responsibility to instill cultural customs and values in their children.
In response to suggestions: You really can't call on the school until the church is diversified culturally of different nationalities. It starts with you and me all the way up to GC leaders and administration.
It is the teacher's responsibility to expose children to a wide range of information on all cultures and help them to appreciate diversity.

It is far more important that we treat each student as unique and importantã without an over-emphasis on racial/ethnic background. It is just as much an act of prejudice to give preferential treatment to a student because of ethnic background as it is to discriminate for that reason. Both actions draw attention to the ethnicity rather than the individual.

It seems that this could contribute to feelings of separateness more than uniqueness. I am in favor of inclusion and respect and understanding, but not separateness. This is often the what contributes to misunderstanding.

It is difficult to communicate with gestures.

Living in America makes us Americans, who must have a good command of the English language. Teaching should not be in a bilingual sense. AImmersion is the fastest most practical way to teach our language.

Most important to me is that God sees us all as equal. We're just different and that makes like interesting.

Mostly positive experience, children from different cultures have more respect for teachers.

Multicultural acceptance is part of respect and tolerance. Believe we need to teach respect as a primary focus including respect for the young/old; varying opinions, religions, cultures, and respect for those in positions of responsibility.

My students may have various skin colors, but they have the same home environments. Their families are proud to be Americans. They don't celebrate ethnic holidays from generations ago.
One of the things I love about our country is the beauty of its cultural diversity. However, I never think we should lower our standards for a certain ethnic group. I would consider it demeaning to that culture to assume they cannot achieve the same level every other culture achieves.

Our principal speaks Spanish as well as English. It is a great help.

Our school doesn't have any problems that I am aware ofã one group being intolerant of another.
We have many nationalities here, and all seem to value the others. There is no discrimination,
no prejudice that I am aware of.

People are unique. Skin color is minor and I think my children understand this.

Perhaps more attention needs to be directed to the opportunity for individuals to achieve personally and be responsible for their choices and actions instead of dwelling on cultural differences and disadvantages. Focus of attention on goals and goal setting, accepting responsibility for one's actions and choices should be taught and modeled more frequently. Don't accept excuse for mediocre performance.

Sometimes only one minority ethnic group feels the need for consideration. Having
Students have asked me why we have black churches and white churches. It told them in heaven we would be together tut that not everyone is comfortable with hat yet. We should welcome others without pushing.

Students must learn that they are a child of God and that we are all related to God so we are related to each other.

Students feel more accepted socially and achieve higher grades if they are given time to feel comfortable with the accepted language. Time works wonders.

The above questions are prejudicial. You see, while it is good to appreciate diversity, too much is divisive. When we say that whatever I do in my culture is great, we are saying that we are our own god. I'm OK, this is an expansion of humanism.

The best two years of my career were spent in East Los Angeles teaching 6th grad. My first year was the year of the LA Riots. We got to deal with quite a few issues relating to race tolerance that year. Good luck with your work!

There is not much my board can do. They have invested $24,000 in technology. The teachers and curriculum are dynamic and flexible. We work to maintain a good relationship with the parentsã and do all we can for the few who need financial assistance. We attempt to show the students where they fit in societyã both culturallyãphysically and spiritually. We strive to rise above the system and most of all, I emphasize in my classroom, each student's talents and uniqueness and the value of those contributions to society.

These are very poor questions. We need to help students and not get hung up on culture. We need to do what is best for the student apart from culture.

These students need the same respect as anyone else. Other students need to feel the responsibility to help. They usually do when they understand we are all headed for the same place Heaven. MY first year with many cultures was the hardest, because the student were older and carried the prejudice of parents.

This issue seems to be pushed on teachers too much. We have basic learning issue that get missed because of this latest educational trend. As teachers we all strive to deal with each student individually and learn about them no matter what the ethnic background.

This is an important areaã glad to see that you are doing your studies on it.
To me it doesn't matter what their appearance is like. I love people. Skin color, facial features, size, handicapped, etc. is irrelevant to how I should treat them. I feel each student deserves God's love no matter what culture. This is the main underlying basis of all of my efforts to teach these students. Children appreciate honesty and once they perceive this in a teacher. Respect and trust usually follow. God saw infinite possibilities in each individual. I try as much as I can do the same for each student under my tutelage. We are all his children no matter what culture. Prayer and communion with God is a must for dealing with racial and other Aemotionally-charged situations.

To replace Halloween, I have an International day where parents cook ethnic or cultural dishes and we eat together at noon. Then we have a chance to sing, show treasures, tell stories or give dances from their particular background or culture.

We don't draw distinctions between students along ethnic lines. Every person deserves to be treated kindly because they were created by God. When someone observes the differences in skin color we talk about pigmentation variations. We are a rural community in the Northwest. Prejudice is not an issue.

We teach all our students the following things in both English and Spanish: colors, numbers, days of the week, months in the year and greetings. This allows the Hispanic students to excel in something and really interests our American students. We make mini take home books in English and Spanish.
We are a small school and things go well here.

We are still working on trying to live together, bury our dead in the same cemetery, and worship in the same church. This area is 70% black and 30% white. Some whites have held on to the old ways of thinking and do not want to change.

When one follows Jesus' example, multicultural teaching is automatic and natural. Having a special education background has also been helpful in breaking down concepts into smaller components and individualizing.

While individuality is extremely important, I feel that we should concentrate on our united goal of witnessing for Christ. I feel that's lost when everyone struggles to assert their differences. While I am intrigued with various cultures and customs, I feel that Acultural differences implies racial differences. That to me is detrimental to Christian unity. Unique qualities should be celebrated because they were bestowed upon individuals by God.