“We are all different, which is great because we are all unique. Without diversity, life would be very boring.”
– Catherine Pulsifer
October is Global Diversity Month, a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the different types of cultures, backgrounds, and experiences that make up our school communities. As educators, we have an opportunity to foster an inclusive and diverse environment in our schools, where students can learn about and appreciate the world’s different cultures and perspectives. This blog post explores creative ways to celebrate Global Diversity Month in your school and promote a more inclusive and empathetic learning environment.
Exploring Diversity in Literature
One of the most effective ways to celebrate Global Diversity Month in your school is by exploring diverse books and literature in the classroom. The power of literature lies in its ability to transport readers to different worlds, introduce them to unique characters, and immerse them in unfamiliar cultures. Curating a collection of literature that reflects diverse backgrounds can let your students know that you are creating space for their unique experiences. From picture books that introduce young learners to the beauty of global cultures to novels that tackle complex issues of identity and discrimination, a diverse bookshelf can spark meaningful conversations and broaden students’ perspectives. I invite you to peruse our reviewed resources that include a wide range of book collections you can weave into your curriculum. There are also robust resources to create diverse classroom libraries on sites like Learning for Justice (reviewed here).
Building a Sense of Belonging
Marking Global Diversity Month serves as a timely reminder of how we can build a greater sense of belonging in our classrooms and communities. By embracing global diversity and integrating it into our classrooms, we can create spaces where each individual feels valued and that they belong. Sharing our diverse stories and experiences is a universal human trait with the incredible power to foster strong bonds and an enhanced sense of belonging. Resources like Google’s Diversity and Inclusion website, where people from diverse backgrounds can share their personal stories, provide students an opportunity to practice empathy and understanding of others’ experiences. As an educator, you can encourage students to use tools like Adobe Express for Education (reviewed here) or Canva for Education (reviewed here), which offer a range of tools for creating visually engaging and interactive digital stories, presentations, and videos. Digital storytelling can provide students with creative avenues to craft and share their narratives with their classroom community and beyond!
A Call to Action for School Administrators
As an administrator or leader on a school campus, you play a pivotal role in shaping the culture and environment of your campus or institution. Global Diversity Month is the perfect opportunity for you to lead by example and set a precedent for promoting diversity and equity. Whether you’re collaborating and providing space for educators to review and expand the curriculum to include diverse perspectives or engaging with your local community to create partnerships that promote global diversity. You have the power to ensure your school embraces global diversity throughout the year!
Global Diversity Month presents a golden opportunity for teachers and administrators to promote inclusivity, cultural awareness, and empathy in classrooms. Let’s continue to inspire the next generation to embrace and appreciate global diversity in all its forms! Share your ideas in the comments below on how to celebrate Global Diversity at your campus!
I feel blessed to be part of a community, “Teacherfirst.com”, that supports teachers. Thank you to the author, Erica, for creating this blog. We all need to model and promote a sense of belonging in our schools and communities.