Cultural Diversity Education in Action

Brenda Larson & StudentsChandler-Gilbert's Cultural Diversity in Education class offers education students a unique opportunity to experience diversity in a classroom setting. Students perform 20 hours of service learning in one diverse school like the Pappas School for the Homeless to work with low socioeconomic students; Gila Community Crossing School and Blackwater, both Native American schools; or Lincoln and Longfellow Elementary Schools where there is a large ESL population.

Students also research and write about topics of diversity, such as Language Acquisition; Homelessness; Achievement Gap; the Dropout Rate; Native American educational and cultural issues; and identity, stereotypes and prejudices relevant to bi-racial/interracial children.

Students in the course attend special events like the Hunger Banquet, Invisible Children, Into the Streets, and Face to Face in a Frenzy.

Speakers on diverse topics are also an integral part of the students learning experience. Aurelia Camacho spoke on the Hispanic culture, Dr. Cheryl Greene spoke as the mother of bi-racial children, Dr. Janel White-Taylor on African American culture, Patricia McIntyre on Native American culture, Diane Fernichio on homeless children, Ann Hart on classroom climate and Tod Keltner on gay and lesbian issues.

Student Emily Woods shared, "Cultural diversity and service learning in a diverse school has helped me to realize my vast potential as a future teacher. I now realize that I have the power to make change, to help all students, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic status, gender and family situation, succeed and to help bridge the achievement gap."