I am often asked ways to celebrate to the culture of the students and faculty we serve. I believe the answer comes in several steps which I will outline today. The classrooms and campuses we serve are filled with individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures. As such, we must ensure that each individual knows how much they are appreciated and valued for what they bring to the classroom or campus.
Step 1: Be willing to learn
We are all different. We are not expected to know every cultural norm or custom, but we can't expect others to know every norm or custom of our own either. We must be willing to learn about others so that we both understand where each of us is coming from.
As educators we must be life-long learners. We thirst for knowledge. As such, we must be willing to ask questions, research, and observe the multitude of diverse experiences around us. We must remind ourselves that our differences are what make us all unique and important to the world we live in.
Step 2: Be willing to build trust
We all come with our own individual bias. Discrimination occurs and bullies exist. We must build safe environments that foster trust. We must support our students so that they feel safe. Ask students/staff how they feel and allow them to tell you. Get to know you students/staff and their families. You will be amazed how people, children and adults alike, change when they know they can trust you and that you care.
Step 3: Be willing to include your students/staff
Involve others in activities, committees, and groups. Encourage groups that celebrate cultures. Create moments for individuals from different backgrounds to present, to share, to celebrate culture. Allow your classroom or campus to become a place that everyone can learn and celebrate one another.
Step 4: Be willing to read
Integrate culture into what you read on your campus or in your classroom. Integrate books that have different languages so that others can be the expert. Choose authors from diverse cultures to share so that we celebrate the successes from all cultures. Reading is knowledge and through reading about diverse backgrounds we raise our understanding and we reduce our personal bias.
Step 5: Be willing to celebrate
Create moments to celebrate on small and large scales. Use multiple languages in your announcements. Have a word of the week in multiple languages. Have students write about and share culture through pictures, food, or crafts. Have a campus or district multicultural celebration allowing students, teachers, businesses, and classrooms to celebrate culture through presentations, dances, art work, and so much more.
This is not an exhaustive list and I could probably go on and on, but this is a start. As humans we simply want to be loved and respected as individuals. If we can learn to celebrate one another we are well on our way to grow as a diverse and unique world.
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