#teachdiverse

In a survey conducted with 20 people teachers have been questioned about things that would make teaching matters of SJ easier. These are their answers...

Is there anything that would make teaching issues of Social Justice easier?

“Guidelines on how to encounter such topics and the resulting discussion.”

“Awareness and knowledge regarding SJE.”

“These topics are barely touched while studying. In general, it would be useful to teach hands-on approaches at university and less theoretical approaches as many of them are not easily adaptable.”

“More and student-centered material.”

“Clear communication.”

“Approaching issues through the lens of SJ should become self-evident. That needs time of cause.”

“It would be easier if it won’t be a „special“ or peculiar issue anymore.”

“If it would be common sense that these topics are necessary to teach in school and if this would be visible in learning material, curricula etc. Also more teaching material for all kinds of students would be great (special education).”

“Better guidelines or suggestions on how to deal with these topics and how to include them in daily teaching.”

“Appropriate material.”

“To know different strategies and methods how to include these topics in class.”

“A guideline how to deal with this topic sensitively.”

“Always to have a guideline and an instruction how to properly use the material.”

“Workshops.”

“Better teacher education.”

Social Justice Education...

is critical pedagogy, i.e. of power relations within the classroom

deal with diversity (exchange ideas and beliefs in an open-minded way)

encourages students to think critically about the world

is connected to different things: critical pedagogy, antiracist education, culturally sustaining pedagogy, intercultural competence and linguistically responsive

Diversity as a topic for school?

Yes! Why not?

These times diversity is an absolutely present topic. Also, diversity is a topic that is inevitably connected with strong emotions, so that the task to “teach”/talk about it is seen as impossible. A lot of teachers would say that they can’t teach it correctly, because they are missing the theoretical basis. But do you benefit this much from theoretical knowledge in this matter? In my opinion, it is good if you are familiar with the theoretical framework, but it’s not this necessary. Diversity is a very individual topic, so it’s not possible to lump it all together. Empathy and common sense should work as well. No one should reproach teachers for not being an expert at everything they have to come up with in school (except their classes).

Today I am 25 years old and in my school time (2002-2012) I’ve never seen any diversity throughout my classes. Every Workbook uses Max, Eva, and John. Three “normal” kids. Neither Max, Eva nor John stand out. They weren’t a person of color or part of the LGBTQ+ Community or anything else. This could be the first step to spotlight diversity. Why don’t we depict our multifaceted world in the present world for our youngsters? This way, pupils can see that it is normal to be a person of color, to be gay, to be lesbian, to be non-binary, and be proud of who they are. All these topics were taboo for too long.

I am part of the LGBTQ+ Community and I think the process to accept oneself as who you are would have been much easier, if these topics would have been present.

To talk about diversity should serve the purpose of clarification, normalizing, tolerance, acceptance, and respect for others. Of course, your classroom has to be a super safe space if you want to give your pupils the chance to talk about their inner feeling. But it doesn’t mean it’s impossible.

So first we should have more diverse material, to show that not only the traditional family is the “good one” and create a feeling of belonging this way. Maybe diversity should be a topic in sexual education as well and should also be integrated into the curriculum.

To sum it all up in one sentence: We need to depict our real world with all its diversity in the learning environment of our children, to give them a correct view of our present world and give everyone a feeling of belonging.

In a survey conducted with 20 people teachers have been questioned about the limits of divers teaching material. These are their answers...

Limits of divers teaching material are...

“In some cases, it might be too complex on a political level to include Social Justice as a topic without it being the focus of teaching.”

“Social Injustice is a problem that cannot be solved by schools alone. But it is important to familiarize students with different perspectives and ways of living to teach mutual acceptance and empathy.”

“Social Injustice is also part of the educational system. Mostly, due to location and socio-economical background schools have access to more resources and higher quality teaching.”

“One cannot include everybody. There will always be people who feel excluded in some way. Also, there are very sensitive topics. By covering these topics certain people/groups/ minorities might feel uncomfortable.”

“Diverse teaching materials are a good starting point and can have a huge impact. However, just because you use diverse teaching material does not necessarily mean that you teach diversity and Social Justice. This is such a huge topic, and first teachers must be aware of that and reflect their own privileges.”

“Teaching material mirrors current discourses in the respective society, i. e. reproduces thoughts that are perpetuated anyways. Thus, textbooks do not contribute to new ideas. Of course, school material is never meant to proselytize as it is bound to the curricula set by the government.”

“Students might be confused (teachers should create an atmosphere in which different aspects can be discussed).”

In a survey conducted with 20 people teachers have been questioned about the opportunities of divers teaching material. These are their answers...

Opportunities of divers teaching material are...

“It shows students that being different is good and nothing to be ashamed of.”

“Stressing that we can all learn from different discussions on Social Justice and that it is important from a political point of view to focus on Social Justice.”

“Acceptance and respect.”

“It is an opportunity for students to feel included and recognized.”

“It should be normal to act and teach Social Justice-responsive.”

“Students have the chance to question their own opinions and images, expand their knowledge and discuss certain topics. They can dive deeper into topics and become allies for certain groups. Most importantly, diversity in teaching material makes more people feel included and seen and offers an opportunity to learn.”

“Identification, to speak up, thematize sensitive topics.”

“Students get to know different lives/views than their own (they can question certain views as well).”

“Students who feel lost could potentially feel better understood.”