When teaching in the United States, the diversity of students is enormous, you must make sure everyone feels welcome and seen. That helps the students, regarding self-esteem, voice, and behaviors. Respecting where they come from gives them a sense of mutual respect. Which helps generate respect for you. Treating them as a human being also helps. Here are some activities I do thought out the year as a Middle School Math Teacher. 

My school uses a teacher-parent contact platform, called ClassDojo, so I have them sign their parents in, if by the end of the first week of school I have ALL my students’ parents signed in, I will throw them a popsicle party. That is just bringing them popsicles and taking 5-10 minutes of our day to eat them together. This has nothing to do with culture, but so much to do with creating a welcoming environment in my class and between the students.  

The first few months we talk about kindness, respect, integrity, and accepting the people around us, which helps with conflicts that might arise throughout the school year. This also helps with sensitizing them with the people around them throughout the school day.  

As the year goes on, I explain important days in history to them. I also take into consideration other dates from other countries or cultures that aren’t mine and as the explanations come by, everything seems to resonate with them. I learn so much about them, and they learn so much about themselves and others, it’s a beautiful experience to see.  

I believe high expectations make for successful students! Making your class a team will help them gain a sense of belonging. Make them feel like they are helpful, important and needed always!  

Culture can be interpreted as many things as possible. Here, I want to use it as the vibe, sense or environment your classroom holds when you create it. Make sure you are the positive, welcoming and warm guide to show the students how to treat each other and the adults.  

As I tell my students, “If I can ask for help when I struggle with something, so can you!” and I always make them part of my struggles, like finding something, understanding something, or even reaching things that are hard to get. Give them a sense of need. But everything comes after working hard at connecting with them.  

Give it a try and please reach out to let me know how it goes! We are always happy to hear experiences!  

This article was written by Zaira Figueroa, an International Teacher with experience in the US Classrooms.