A call to celebrate diversity all year long
By Dr. Kim Pinckney
As educators, we strive to create welcoming classrooms where students feel seen and valued. A crucial aspect of fostering this sense of belonging is celebrating the rich tapestry of diversity within our schools, communities and the world at large. While acknowledging holidays traditionally celebrated in December can be a starting point, it is essential to move beyond a “holiday-centric” approach to one that embeds diversity into our curricula and classrooms throughout the entire year. That is the vision behind the NJEA Consortium. Through a grant funded by the National Education Association (NEA), the Consortium moves beyond “Holidays and Heroes” to foster connections, community and curriculum development in an authentic, intentional way.
But what is wrong with December? Holiday celebrations are fun; we all love a good party! Yet when we lump most cultural celebrations into December, we are not honoring all cultures equally. Many Christian and secular holidays are based on the solar calendar, with one of the holiest holidays taking place in December. However, many Islamic holidays are based on the lunar calendar with dates shifting each year. Many East-Asian and Jewish holidays are based on the lunisolar calendar, borrowing from both lunar and solar cycles. Celebrating “December Holidays” favors one tradition over others.
Why year-round inclusion matters
When we make space to acknowledge diversity year-round, we live our intentions of creating welcoming environments where all students feel valued. Here are some benefits:
Authentic representation: Students who see themselves reflected in the curricula develop a stronger sense of identity and self-worth.
Breaking down stereotypes: By exploring diverse perspectives throughout the year, we challenge misconceptions that lead to prejudice and discrimination. Students learn to appreciate the richness of humanity and develop empathy for others.
Fostering critical thinking: Diverse curricula encourage students to question dominant narratives, analyze information from multiple perspectives and develop nuanced understandings of complex issues.
Preparing global citizens: In an increasingly interconnected world, students must develop intercultural competence and global awareness to contribute to a more just and equitable society.
Strategies for year-round inclusion
Celebrate throughout the year: Incorporate celebrations of cultures and heritages throughout the year, not just during December.
Perform a curriculum audit: Review your existing curricula to identify areas where diversity is lacking or where stereotypes may be perpetuated. Make changes accordingly.
Include diverse voices: Incorporate a wide range of voices, authors, artists and historical figures’ perspectives into your lessons and libraries. Invite guest speakers from the community to share their experiences and expertise.
Culturally responsive teaching: Adopt teaching practices that acknowledge and value students’ diverse cultural backgrounds.
Offer student-led projects: Empower students to explore topics related to diversity through research projects, presentations and creative activities. Encourage them to share their own cultural backgrounds and experiences.
Engage in ongoing reflection: We all have conscious and unconscious biases. Continuously reflect on your own assumptions and how they might be impacting your teaching.
Leverage existing resources: Consider the NJEA Consortium as a resource. We are in progress creating and curating lesson plans, content scholar talks, immersive field trip experiences and other resources for your use. Visit learning.njea.org/consortium for more information.
Valuing, respecting and empowering students
Celebrating diversity all year long is not about being politically correct; it is about creating an educational environment where every student feels valued, respected and empowered to reach their full potential. By intentionally and proactively integrating diversity into our curricula and classrooms, we can foster an inclusive culture that benefits all students and prepares them to thrive in this diverse and interconnected world.
Dr. Kim Pinckney is an associate director in the NJEA Professional Development and Instructional Issues Division. Pinckney coordinates the NJEA Consortium. She can be reached at kpinckney@njea.org. For more about the NJEA Consortium, visit learning.njea.org/consortium.