Investing in Diversity is Investing in a Better Education and Future for the Students

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Original article posted on tabrishahaggerty.wordpress.com.

“I never teach my pupils; I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they can learn.” ― Albert Einstein

Learning requires an environment of openness, honesty, and the will to explore, challenge, and possibly be uncomfortable. Today, the unfortunate direction in student enrollment, school choice, and educator staffing all trend toward non-diverse, predominately white environments. But if the public schools are going to prepare the next generation truly, then the environments must not only be mentally stimulating, informative, and engaging, but they must also reflect the real world – the world around us, which is a diverse jigsaw of varying races, gender expressions, religions, languages, abilities, and perspectives.

If both parents and school leaders don’t invest in and prioritize diversity, then the future will look like the past, and our great minds will be hindered, limited, and close-minded, uninformed about, and inexperienced with the personal development that comes from a diverse educational environment.

On one side, there are some parents who “want the best for their children,” which is understandable. So, they often overemphasize test scores and location, which leans towards an environment bereft of diversity. And on the other side, there are the school board leaders and administrators who staff based on their personal experience and comfort, which also, unfortunately, results in an extreme lack of diversity.

These environments where almost everyone looks and thinks the same aren’t conducive to empathy, understanding, and engaging with people from different backgrounds, which results in adults who are biased, aren’t able to have their opinions challenged, and overall, aren’t too well-rounded.

School diversity is a win-win for everyone involved.

Diverse environments elevate the level of education in many ways:

• It increases communication skills and understanding and broadens perspective, critical thinking, and problem-solving.
• It challenges stereotypes, bias, and misinformation.
• It provides a more honest, truthful, and accurate curriculum.
• It prepares students for the real world.

For Black students and other people of color, it’s also vital to success.

• Students are in a comfortable, welcoming environment.
• Students of color perform better in diverse environments.
• Students are less likely to receive excessive and disproportionate discipline.
• Their teachers and counselors better invest in students.
• Students gain a better understanding and comfort with themselves, leading to confidence, improved self-esteem, ease of authenticity, and ultimately higher performance.

It’s time to break away from antiquated education models, which have led to further segregation, division, and diminished student potential. When educational leaders ensure a diverse environment, and not only what they know and are comfortable with, they’ll be able to provide an environment for students that actually and holistically promote higher education. If parents prioritize diversity in their school choices as well as advocate for policies that promote diversity in their public schools, they’ll be investing in creating a future where we all work better together, have more compassion and empathy, and excel together. A new paradigm is possible if we work towards it now.