Many things accumulate under the banner term ‘culture’.

So, when we talk about the importance

of cultural understanding, awareness of diversity and appreciation of those different from us (as
we do in the Mission statement of the Tenby Schools, it requires considerable, deep reflection
and consideration to really deeply understand all of the implications.

It’s about so much more than a simple admonition for people to get on with each other, or to be
tolerant or understanding that people of different religions, communities, cultures or countries
have different beliefs, values, expectations or ways of acting/ thinking.

I believe that it’s important to start from an acknowledgement that there is way more makes us
similar than makes us different BUT that the differences are significant, important and that if we
are insensitive or not reflective we risk being myopic and blinkered in our appraisal of our own
or others’ cultural norms.

Next, a natural tendency to be curious, inquiring, interested in others and reflective is the best
grounding for a person who wishes to respect cultural diversity and to have an open mind about
not only what others do and think differently, but why – and in a non-judgmental way.

With these thoughts in mind, I was particularly pleased to come across this well written and
thought-provoking article;

NPR – KQED – Mindshift – How Awareness of Cultural Differences Can Help

Underachieving Students
I read the article a number of times. First time, was on the basis of what we, as adults, can learn
by being open and curious about the different cultural backgrounds of children in the classroom.
Expat teachers can experience great challenges if they walk in to international classrooms with a
fixed mindset related to their own cultural perspectives, or those of their pupils or how things
like communication should work in a classroom.

Next, for all teachers, whether expat or local, our aims are to prepare children to succeed and
fulfil their potential in a global environment. In such an environment they will, at times, find
themselves in places where they are the minority and other people’s cultural norms hold sway.
Their ability to acclimatise to those norms, adjust to them and meet the expectations of people
who may not feel the need to make adaptations on their behalf are critical. This is an intriguing
challenge for a local teacher who might not have travelled outside their own country and has
therefore always felt the comfort of being in a dominant culture.

If we are to see the Vision of the Tenby Schools fulfilled – “A United World at Peace – Through
Education.” then we have to be continually giving thought to how we help children to develop
skills and attributes of reflective learners, curious about others and sensitive to their needs so as
to understand how to operate flexibly in different cultures, without giving up their rootedness in
their own culture.
These things don’t happen overnight with a tick in a box. Rather, educators need to be
continually linking all aspects of the curriculum, in age appropriate and relevant ways, to these
issues of cultural understanding, diversity and reflection. I have no idea how much of this we can
achieve in our lifetimes. However, i believe that is incumbent upon us to go as far as we can and
to commit to starting on that journey for the sake of our children.

Stress is the body's reaction to any change that requires an adjustment or response. The body
reacts to these changes with physical, mental, and emotional responses. Stress is a normal part of
life. You can experience stress from your environment, your body, and your thoughts.

ulture is that which shapes us; it shapes our identity and influences our behavior. Culture is our
“way of being,” more specifically, it refers to the shared language, beliefs, values, norms,
behaviors, and material objects that are passed down from one generation to the next.1

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the 2009 population in America was:

 80% White
 16% Hispanic or Latino origin (may be of any race)
 13% African American
  5% Asian
  1% American Indian/Alaskan Native
  0.2% Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander2

Each race encompasses a multitude of different ethnic groups. An ethnic group refers to people
who are closely related to each other through characteristics such as culture, language, and
religion.3 There are many ethnic groups in the United States, due in large part to its immigrant
population; each of these groups contributes to America’s cultural heritage. From African
Americans to Russian Americans, the United States is one of the most diverse nations in terms of
culture.

What does it mean to be “culturally diverse”?

The term “culturally diverse” is often used interchangeably with the concept of
“multiculturalism.” Multiculturalism is defined as:
“…a system of beliefs and behaviors that recognizes and respects the presence of all diverse
groups in an organization or society,  acknowledges  andvalues their socio-cultural differences,
and  encourages and enables their continued contribution within an inclusive cultural context
which empowers  all within the organization or society.4

Sociologist Dr. Caleb Rosado, who specializes in diversity and multiculturalism, described seven
important actions involved in the definition of multiculturalism:5

 recognition of the abundant diversity of cultures;

 respect for the differences;
 acknowledging the validity of different cultural expressions and contributions;
 valuing what other cultures offer;
 encouraging the contribution of diverse groups;
 empowering people to strengthen themselves and others to achieve their maximum
potential by being critical of their own biases; and
 celebrating rather than just tolerating the differences in order to bring about unity
through diversity.

Why is cultural diversity a “good thing”?

Culture is the lens with which we evaluate everything around us; we evaluate what is proper or
improper, normal or abnormal, through our culture. If we are immersed in a culture that is unlike
our own we may experience culture shock and become disoriented when we come into contact
with a fundamentally different culture. People naturally use their own culture as the standard to
judge other cultures; however, passing judgment could reach a level where people begin to
discriminate against others whose “ways of being” are different than their own—essentially, we
tend to fear that which we do not understand.

Cultural diversity is important because our country, workplaces, and schools increasingly consist
of various cultural, racial, and ethnic groups. We can learn from one another, but first we must
have a level of understanding about each other in order to facilitate collaboration and
cooperation. Learning about other cultures helps us understand different perspectives within the
world in which we live, and helps dispel negative stereotypes and personal biases about different
groups.

In addition, cultural diversity helps us recognize and respect “ways of being” that are not
necessarily our own, so that as we interact with others we can build bridges to trust, respect, and
understanding across cultures. Furthermore, this diversity makes our country a more interesting
place to live, as people from diverse cultures contribute language skills, new ways of thinking,
new knowledge, and different experiences.

How can you support cultural diversity?

 Increase your level of understanding about other cultures by interacting with people
outside of your own culture—meaningful relationships may never develop simply due
to a lack of understanding.
 Avoid imposing values on others that may conflict or be inconsistent with cultures other
than your own.
 When interacting with others who may not be proficient in English, recognize that their
limitations in English proficiency in no way reflects their level of intellectual
functioning.
 Recognize and understand that concepts within the helping profession, such as family,
gender roles, spirituality, and emotional well-being, vary significantly among cultures
and influence behavior.
 Within the workplace, educational setting, and/or clinical setting, advocate for the use of
materials that are representative of the various cultural groups within the local
community and the society in general.
 Intervene in an appropriate manner when you observe others engaging in behaviors that
show cultural insensitivity, bias, or prejudice.
 Be proactive in listening, accepting, and welcoming people and ideas that are different
from your own.6

Cultural diversity supports the idea that every person can make a unique and positive
contribution to the larger society because of, rather than in spite of, their differences. Imagine a
place where diversity is recognized and respected; various cultural ideas are acknowledged and
valued; contributions from all groups are encouraged; people are empowered to achieve their full
potential; and differences are celebrated.
“Diversity is the one true thing we have in common. 
Celebrate it every day.”
–Anonymous