M4U1A3

Establishing a Positive Classroom Climate
I live in a unique country. We have over 14 different ethnic groups and languages spoken. Due to our history with apartheid (racial discrimination), our government is focused on rebuilding the nation, where everyone is considered equal, free from discrimination, regardless of race, sex, gender, etc.

As a child, I was never exposed to any discrimination because I lived in a mixed-race community. If there were incidences of discrimination, I never noticed because it was of no importance to me and as I viewed everyone as human beings. I was never taught to hate anyone because of their skin color.
As an adult, I became aware of racial discrimination and that there was still certain groups of people who felt superior to other ethnic groups. Not many would dare to show it openly, but everyone prefers to keep to their ethnic groups.

Many of the private schools in Windhoek, Namibia still has a dominant ethnic group who receives certain special privileges or rights. During recess or lunch breaks, students will sit with their own. Some have build friendships outside of their ethnic group, but the relationship does not always extend to visiting each other's homes.

I work at Windhoek International School. An institution that values diversity and multiculturalism amongst its students and staff members and it is a joy to watch students from different backgrounds who learn and play together without any thought of being different. One race or religion is not considered superior to others. All cultures are valued and respected. Our teachers share the same principles and values that we teach our students to become responsible and caring citizens of the world.

In the classroom

Students received an inquiry-based education so working in groups is a requirement. A teacher will usually select diverse groups for projects and also rotate groups after a period. Students are encouraged to be open-minded when working with different students. They're also asked to respect and listen to each other's ideas or views.

Bullying in the classroom

The Primary Year Program (curriculum) teaches students to be open-minded, caring, respectful and tolerant towards others. If I notice any forms of bullying in my class or outside, I tend to deal with it as quickly as possible. I do listen to both sides of the story before reporting it to my line manager. I usually follow up on any incidences of bullying that was brought to my attention.

Team selections in PE

In Physical Education, teams select players with varying abilities or gender. I also allow all my students to either lead the warm up or be captains on their respective teams and allows all students to feel valued by their peers and me.

My students have come to know me as a person that will listen to both sides of an argument and come to a fair decision. I do not tolerate disrespect among students. If a student does not want to work with a particular student, they will sit out of the lesson until they can give me a satisfying reason as to why they don't want to work with that person. Many times it is because they wanted to work with their best friend!

As much as I would like to work at an international school overseas, I fear that I might not find a school culturally diverse in teaching staff and student body as at WIS. I do not fear the outside world, but I sometimes feel that not everyone is ready to accept that we live in a small but culturally diverse world