Dr. Haoua M. Hamza
Associate Professor
Niagara University
Each of us is like a pebble, with its own shape, size, and color. Unlike bricks made from the same mold, each pebble is unique. So is every student in a classroom—a unique individual whose growth we contribute to as teachers. Content instruction, teaching and assessment methods, learning activities, behavior management, and motivation techniques are all interconnected in addressing each learner’s social, emotional, academic, and behavioral needs. A teacher must have a comprehensive and integrated approach to managing a global classroom. Perspective and practice will allow you to both grasp how unique each learner is and holistically implement approaches to teaching that proactively keep students on task.
Teachers do very creative things on a daily basis, often under limiting and challenging circumstances such as a lack of funding, appropriate resources, time, or infrastructure. When it comes to your teaching practice, developing a mindset of inclusion is a powerful tool in ensuring equal learning opportunities and addressing the range of diversity represented in your classroom. Working in the field of education urges us to develop a comprehensive and intercultural pedagogy that addresses the complexity of diversity—the challenge is to design an inclusive learning environment and implement individualistic approaches for students who need it.
Another way to foster inclusive learning is by supporting intercultural competence through group work. Check out The Benefits of Collaborative Learning Through Peer Teaching and add some tips to your educator's toolbox.