Multicultural Diversity: A Challenge to Global Teachers

Multicultural Diversity: A Challenge to Global TeachersDiversity of Learners in Multicultural Classrooms

Color of the skinEthnic groupLanguagesSocio-economic backgroundsMulticultural Education enables teachers and educators to give values to the differences in knowledge and experiences of the learnersFraser-Abner (2001) Suggestions:Be sensitive and awareNever make assumptionsAvoid stereotypingGet to know each studentLook into your own consciousPlan your activitiesInfuse multicultural instructional materialsCollaboration and cooperation

Guiding Principles:Pre-Service teacher education programsEquitable opportunitiesSocial skillsSchool CurriculumEliminate stereotypingValues Some of basic assumptions that enhance Teacher Development:No two learners are exactly the same.Children in all classrooms are heterogeneousStrategies that work with one learner may not work with anotherStudents background and experiences should be consideredCommunity members can assist teachers in facing issuesReflection!Mrs. Rosa Rose a teacher and raised in Visayas married a Tausog in Jolo,Sulu. The marriage necessitated her to transfer teaching in the place of her husband who is also a teacher. Coming from a different family background in terms of religion, ethnic origin, social background. Mrs.Rose has to adjust to her present relocated residence. She was accepted to teach in one of the elementary schools in the area where a mixture of different ethnic groups are enrolled.Visiting International Faculty Program (VIF)Largest cultural exchange program for teachers and schoolDedicated to transforming lives through international exchange of teachersOffers highly qualified teachers from around the world serving as teachers and cultural ambassadors in the United States.VIF Purposes and BeliefsAll schools should have at least one international exchange teacherAll students should be exposed to a variety of exchange teachers during their academic careersAll communities should have an equal opportunity to develop globally literate citizens to help build a foundation for success in the global marketplace.History of VIFIt was founded in 1987Kindergarten up to grade 12 in 1989North Carolina Department of Public Instruction In 1996 VIF was asked to recruit teachers in other subject areasExpanded areas including the states of South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, Maryland, Florida, and CaliforniaInternational teachers are coming from more than 50 countries of the world such as, Australia, Canada, Chile, New Zealand, Ecuador, Mexico, Spain and PhilippinesFullbright Teacher Exchange ProgramPromote mutual understanding between the United States and countries around the world.Involves a year or semester direct exchange with a counterpart in another country teaching the same subject at the same levelInter-African Teacher ExchangesTo provide opportunity for teachers to learn from teaching environment in other African countries To extend experiences and widen the horizon of African teachers by encouraging exchange visits to countries outside Africa To create cultural awareness and tolerance of developments in different African education environments

Activities:Be stationed at one school for one week and another for another weekObserve teaching in the said teachers subjectGuest teach using ICTs at the schools that the teacher is visitingDiscussions with teachers in another schoolWrite a journal of their exchange visit Canadian Educators ExchangeNon-profit foundation which handles both student and educator exchangesEducators and students have an opportunity to broaden their understanding of one anothers cultures, customs, and languagesTwo kinds of Professional Development Experiences:1. One Year Exchange enables teachers in Alberta to swap their jobs (and homes) with teachers in countries Australia, New Zealand, UK, Germany and US for a period of one year. During this time, teachers continues to be paid by his or her school board in Alberta.2. Short-Term Exchange occurs during spring and summer holidays, enables teachers and administrators to job shadow with the counterpart in another countryGlobal Teachers Millennium AwardsThis program is limited only to participating countries, it is important to learn that the Global Exchange program contributes to the quality of teachers worldwide.This program aims to:Change the lives of UK educators, personally and professionally by encouraging them to fulfill their aspiration and use their talents in innovative ways;Ensure benefits for staff and pupils of UK schools and their local communities through the dissemination of innovative development education; This program aims to:Support the aims and activities of Links educational programs in South Africa, Ghana and Uganda;Set a standard and develop a model for other similar schemeIntention of the Program:Increased knowledge of people and life in developing countriesBetter understanding of how UK is linked with other countriesMore positive attitudes towards people and life in developing countries-challenging stereotypes and beliefs in shared humanityMore positive attitudes towards multicultural nature of UK society-challenging of stereotypes and embracing of diversityA Global teacher in this program is:Thinks and acts both locally and globallyEmbraces the worlds rich variety of ways of lifeUnderstands that this world is interconnectedCommitted Believes in educationHas professional and personal skillsBrings the world into their classroomEncourages dialogue and partnershipCan inspire others