I found my conversation with the English as a Second Language teacher about class and race very interesting this week. Ms. Hicks believes that class and race must be considered at all times in her classes. Almost all of the students in the ESL classes are not American, and it is absolutely necessary for her to approach them considering certain cultural customs and expectations. These children want people to understand where they came from. It is part of their identity, and the children need to discuss and express their backgrounds.
Ms. Hicks said that she also must consider the tensions between different cultures and races in her classroom. The past and a history of intolerance and ignorance definitely impacts how the children treat each other and Ms. Hicks believes that she has to make herself aware of those differences. Only then can she attempt to resolve preexisting problems and create a classroom environment that is safe and productive for each child. She approaches class and race by recognizing, exploring, and discussing the problems that differences in class and race could possibly present.
Ms. Hicks told me that she can differentiate her instruction with each child, but she cannot differentiate her expectations. There are children living in poverty and upper-class children in the same room, but she has high expectations for every child. She knows that she must treat every child with the same love and expectations while also recognizing the inherent differences between them.