The artifact I chose for NBPTS Proposition 1: Teachers are committed to students and learning and VCSU Core Value: Diversity and Global Awareness is a portfolio project I created in Education 657, Exceptionality, Diversity and Differences in the spring of 2013.  I also chose this artifact because it contains elements and examples of these core values.  As a teacher, I strive to make knowledge accessible to all students, as I believe that potential exists within each and every student. The success of students is dependent upon my belief in all students’ dignity and worth.  It is my duty to recognize my students’ individual differences and adjust instruction accordingly. 

The portfolio I am showcasing for Diversity and Global Awareness highlights issues such as social justice, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, race, gender differences, learning needs of diverse students, religious freedom, age, culture, geography, and culturally responsive classroom management strategies. These issues address the Core Value of Diversity/Global Awareness at Valley City State University.  The portfolio demonstrates my awareness in working with global readiness and diversity of all students.   

I have learned that each classroom contains students who differ culturally, intellectually, and socially.  Therefore my instruction should be differentiated and flexible to provide the optimum learning environment I can afford my students.  My thorough understanding of diversity issues affects the learning experience of my students. In this course, I learned that schools must make every effort to honor cultural diversity and strive for global awareness.  Schools should commit to providing a learning environment free of bias and discrimination. 

I will be able to use the knowledge gained in this course to include equal educational opportunities in my instruction, and to demonstrate awareness in working with global readiness and diversity of all of my students.  These opportunities will include how to provide equal educational opportunities to students with disabilities, and English Language Learners as well as culturally diverse students. 

In order to enhance student learning in the future, I will work with technologies that enhance effective approaches in working with students, parents and community members from diverse backgrounds. By understanding how students differ in their approaches to learning, I will create instructional opportunities that are adapted to the students’ diverse backgrounds exceptionalities.  By using positive culturally responsive classroom management strategies, I will be able to provide a positive environment, which will enhance student learning.