Respect for Diversity
Young people are more likely to have positive identities of themselves if they learn to respect the differences of others. My classroom will be supportive of all cultures and other forms of diversity in an effort to promote a harmony that makes the learning environment pleasant.
We all want our children to grow up in a world that is free from bias and discrimination. We want them to reach for their dreams and feel that whatever they want to accomplish in life is possible. We want them to feel loved and included and never to experience the pain of rejection or exclusion. Sadly, the reality is that we do live in a world in which bias continues to affect us. Discrimination and rejection hurts. It leaves scars that can last a lifetime, affecting goals, ambitions, life choices, and feeling of self-worth.
What can adults do? We can raise young people to value diversity and be proud of themselves and their family traditions. We can teach them to respect and value people regardless of the color of their skin, their physical abilities, the language they speak, or anything else that makes up who they are.
This video was created by middle school students who wanted to explain what respect means to them. They tell us how we could change the world for the better if everyone learned to respect others.
