Acceptance and Caring are at the Heart of Engaging Classroom Diversity by Jay Casbon
from Literacy Instruction for Cultural and Linguistically Diverse Students.

I have always been attracted to the word, "caring" especially in the classroom. I try to encourage and inspire my students to think before they act, to get involved and make an impact, and to care about others. Friday, a day set aside for poetry reading, was an interesting day filled with surprises and a reassurance as to why I became a teacher.

Thursday, I tried something new in my classrooom. I had students do a practice run in reading their poems before presenting Friday. I heard so many excuses, " I don't like to read aloud" shouted one of my students. "I too shy" said another student. "Can I bring a note from my mother saying that I am not allow to read?" laughed another student. I begin to think seriously about this particular activity. I decided that I was not going to be taken out by a bunch of students especially with the beginning of the new grading period. I stood my ground and explained my expectations. Then, I reach for a picture of my husband off my desk. Slowly, I begin to set the stage for a poetry reading. I set the frame on a stand and sat in a chair. I pulled out one of my favorite poems, "How Do I Love Thee, Let Me Count the Ways by Elizabeth B. Browning. I looked directly into my husband's eyes and begin to read the poem. As I read the poem with emotions along with mixed gestures, the students were totally quiet. When I ended the poem , I sat in my chair for a moment. My students gave me a standing ovation and began to cheer for the presentation. They begin to get excited about their presentations and talked amongst themselves about what they were going to do Friday.

Well, Friday came and students brought in props, original artwork, and even music to go along with their poems. Students encouraged those that were shy and cheered those that overcame their nervousness during the presentations. Students engaged themselves in reading and wanted to know when will they be able to present their original poetry to read in class. I was overwhelmed with the acceptance of poetry reading and writing that I wanted to cry, but not in front of my students. Finally, I found something that inspired them to want to become better and participate in education: poetry reading and writing. Some of my diverse students added flavor to their presentations by speaking the poem once in English and then in their language. They explained to the class about their cultural practices. I am glad that I did not allow students to talked me out of this activity. It was amazing. I found a quote in the article, "Teachers must develop a sensitivity to the cultural differences psychologists have documented in order to be effective in multicultural situations." Teachers must have the ability to care about students, staff, and others. A teacher that cares can change their students into scholars, active readers and writers. Best of all, a teacher can inspired his/her students to continue to pass it on. We must show how much we care when we are teaching our students writing and engaging them with reading activities.