Teaching Tolerance Website
After exploring on this website for
only a few minutes, I quickly decided that it is a valuable resource that I
will most definitely be able to use as a future educator and as a professional
within the school system. This website
provides countless classroom resources, activities, and teaching kits that can
be used as interactive and engaging lesson plans. Teachers can use ideas presented on this
website and adapt them to uniquely meet the needs of a certain group of students. For example, I feel that many of the
activities on this website could be tweaked and used in special needs
classrooms as well.
This website is an especially
beneficial resource because it helps to bridge difficult conversations. For example, when I was initially exploring,
I saw many links that discussed topics such as bullying, LGBT persons, safe
learning environments, and diversity. Teachers
and educators are often asked challenging questions and are put in the midst of
awkward conversations. Since teachers
spend ample amounts of time with their students day in and day out, they are
often a primary role model for many students.
As puberty strikes and young children develop into adolescents and young
adults, students begin to go through tremendous changes, both physically and
emotionally. For students who do not
have positive relationships with a parent or guardian at home, teachers
sometimes function as the only stable adult figure in a student’s life. In the midst of chaos and standard based
lesson plans, it is crucial for teachers to occasionally step back and consider
the well being of their students. This
website can speak volumes in those situations and serve as a quick and easy
resource to help aid teachers during these times.
I particularly enjoyed a publication
entitled “Best Practices: Creating an LGBT-inclusive School Climate.” On this link, there is a picture of a sign
that says, “This school welcomes… students of all races, ethnicities, and
nationalities, students with diverse abilities, students who are LBGT, students
of all family structures, students who are English language learners, students
of all religions, students from all socio-economic backgrounds, students of all
body types… you” (Teaching Tolerance).
These words are powerful and initiate awareness and community building
within the school. This sign reminds the
entire school body that the school is a diverse environment and one in which
everyone is welcome and accepted. This
website discusses the significance of promoting awareness as one of the primary
steps in creating a safe and comfortable learning environment for all persons. Schools should also strive to “build an
inclusive school climate” by supporting a variety of clubs and promoting
individuality (Teaching Tolerance).
I am thankful to have had the opportunity
to be exposed to this website. I feel
that this will be an effective resource for me as a future educator. If I encounter an issue within my classroom,
or if I suspect that an issue may be arising, I will consult this website for
helpful ideas and activities that can help me to further help my students to resolve
any conflicts or concerns.
References
Teaching
tolerance. (1991). Montgomery, AL: Southern Poverty Law Center.