Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Alexander James Guckenberger

           

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     Equity, diversity, and inclusivity are important in our lives as teachers. As educators, we

have a duty to help all of our students, regardless of anything else. All students matter, with no

exceptions whatsoever. All students matter, and that doesn’t change with a skin tone or a

language used. We should care for all of the young people we teach with the same kind of love,

no matter what.

     Equity should be one of the main points of a teacher’s study. We should ask ourselves;

How do teachers ensure their students feel that they are treated with the same respect as others,

and that they are given the same opportunities as their peers? In my own teaching experience, I

have worked to treat all students with the same kind of respect and care. My students have been

of different races, religions, cultures, capabilities, and genders (including transgender students).

This has been good for my own experience. Still, I should be careful to always remind myself to

call on students of all backgrounds. I can be careful not to give students from one background

more or less difficult work than those from another group. I feel as though this is a very

important thing to think about, so that I don’t lose track of being myself at my best, in the

classroom. In the case of mental disability, I can accommodate their needs without overly

simplifying the work. All of my students should have the benefit of a good education. I believe  

that with all of my heart. I have a friend with autism. He is still learning to read and write, yet he

is older than I am. He shows evidence that he’s very smart, and I’m concerned that his lack of 

relevant knowledge may have been because a teacher, or teachers, didn’t believe in what he

could do (not giving him the appropriate work load). I want to be the teacher who gives students

a good education.

     Diversity is the second area we should consider, as educators. Students need to all be

respected, but that doesn’t mean being treated the same. For example, many of my students may

want a high five, when work is done well. However, I may have a girl in my class who is

Islamic. I should be cautious, knowing that devout Muslims do not touch the opposite sex

(except for family). I have a lot of experience interacting with people of various cultures, and this

has been very good for my growth. Teachers should educate themselves, in order to give the best

possible treatment to their students. Students must all be given respect, but in the way that also

pays respect to their cultural identity or identities.

     Inclusivity is a final area to consider. Even if respect doesn’t always manifest the same

way, students should believe that they can participate in the activities and discussions of the

class. For example, all students should have a sense of belonging in the art classroom. And, I

believe that using group activities, in the art classroom, will help push students to get to know

one another. Hopefully, this will result in students who have greater empathy for their

classmates. I would say that many, if not most, of us know the feeling of not being part of the

group. Group learning may help to end this feeling, over time and with practice.

     Equity, diversity, and inclusivity are essential concepts to guide art teaching. All students

matter, and the teacher should believe that. I want all of my students to feel as though they

belong, that they’re unique, and that they matter.