Diversity Grid

As an individual who hails from a culturally diverse background, I can identify with the way students from foreign places feel around the majority population. Sometimes, the way I was raised does not match up with the way my friends were raised. We celebrate different holidays, have different values, and speak different languages.

In a classroom, it is important to celebrate these differences. It is the teacher's job to create an inclusive environment for all students—no matter their ability level, background, or primary language.

Often times, students that have transferred or come from other countries—especially during the middle of the year—feel isolated or misunderstood. In terms of their giftedness, the language barrier or stereotypical view of their culture could cause them to be overlooked and, therefore, underserved.

In considering diversity within the classroom, I created a Diversity Grid that profiles a student in my American Sign Language Class.

In my opinion, this girl is gifted. She is an extremely self-directed learner that picks up languages quickly. In addition to Mandarin, American Sign Language, and English, she is proficient in other languages. Although she is shy, she is confident in her abilities and is quick to understand.

Below you will find a diversity grid in which I provide information about her and accommodations I suggest in order to best meet her needs in the classroom. To preserve her anonymity, I have changed her name to Jane Doe.

In terms of her accommodations, I believe that Jane Doe can accomplish anything that an English-speaking gifted student can accomplish. However, I do think that it is important to give her an opportunity to learn in her native language. Because she feels more comfortable writing in Chinese characters, I think it is important to facilitate this.

Whatever the accommodation, culturally diverse gifted students' needs must be met in the same way that majority population needs are met. This means that the teacher must put more work into adapting methods to ensure that this is accomplished.