Diversity in the Classroom

One of the most important and perhaps controversial topics in teaching in a democracy is this issue of diversity. I say this because in becoming a teacher, we will all have to deal with and accept students from all different backgrounds, religions, etc. I say it is controversial because as Strike and Soltis mention in chapter 5, topics such as evolutionism that are taught in science class can contradict the faith and beliefs of what students see as the truth. I think one aspect of society that makes this controversial is that we live in a "politically correct" society in which we are made to feel afraid to express our beliefs, for fear that we may offend people. I think the onset and prevalence of prejudice and racism have turned us into this sort of society. I personally believe that we should tolerate everyone regardless of their beliefs on creationism, evolution, religion, etc. Like I said, we will all have to deal with students from all walks of life. The only way to reach them is to set aside any former prejudices and be open minded to all of them. This is mentioned in chapter 5 on pg. 82 that "we must tolerate other people's religions even if we are sure they are false and ours true. We must respect other people's culture even if we are convinced that ours is superior." What really turned on a lightbulb in my head was where Strike and Soltis say on pg. 82, "what we are respecting is the student's right to choose, not the adequacy of the choice." In other words, we have to respect that students have the right to believe and think what they want. However, we are under no obligation to agree with it or change our beliefs because our students may not see eye-to-eye with us.. I like where it says in chapter 5, also on p.82 that "tolerance does not trump truth." That statement makes a great deal of sense. To back that up, Strike and Soltis pose the question on p.79 that "must schools lie or hide the truth in order to affirm the equal worth of their students?" I think this can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, you do not want to purposely reject what someone believes and counter with your own sense of the truth. On the other hand, if you are a science teacher who believes in evolution, you may very well offend some students who believe in creationism. However, it goes back to respecting students right to choose what they believe. That is the only way you are going to reach them.