Simply put, “diversity” refers to the fact that everyone in a classroom is unique. Students may come from different cultural backgrounds, their families may face varying economic circumstances, or they may have different religious beliefs. Even with similar backgrounds, however, individual students may read at different levels or be more athletic than others. No matter how much common ground students share, each one has a unique personality. The challenge for the classroom teacher: Recognize these differences and create an environment where everyone has the opportunity to learn while also respecting one another.
