I believe that an inclusive classroom recognizes and values the differences between individuals and promotes equity for all students. As an educator, I am committed to fostering an inclusive classroom environment. It is my intent that students of all diverse backgrounds and perspectives be well-served in my classroom, that students’ learning needs be addressed both in and out of class, and that the diversity that the students bring to this class be viewed as a resource, strength, and benefit. I am committed to supporting people’s individual differences such as life experiences, learning styles, and personality types, as well as supporting people’s social differences such as race, socio-economic status, class, gender, sexual orientation and identity, country of origin, ability, as well as cultural, political, religious, and other affiliations. Additionally, my students and I will approach our discussions with empathy and mutual respect, irrespective of individual or social differences.
To ensure that I am inclusive in my teaching practice, I will focus on how I teach, what I teach, the content/materials I use, and how I support student engagement. In terms of how I teach, I will establish and support an inclusive classroom environment to create equity for all students, and I will critically reflect on my teaching to find ways to improve. I will also be mindful of what I teach, educating students on diversity, inclusion, and social justice, in order to support them, their identities and their interests. To ensure that all students in my classroom can see themselves and others in the content/materials used in the classroom, I will challenge myself to gather resources and materials from a variety of people with diverse perspectives, sources of knowledge, and experiences. To support student engagement, I will create a classroom environment where students feel respected and supported by modeling respectful and inclusive behavior, and by providing opportunities for students to respectfully share and discuss their ideas, opinions, and experiences.