91影视破解版

Marcia Vandiver joined the Department of Elementary Education in the fall of 2015, after completing her doctoral studies in urban education at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

While Vandiver brings an urban education perspective to the department, she also says she explains to future teachers that their outlook on what diversity means shouldn鈥檛 stop at 鈥渂lack鈥� and 鈥渨hite.鈥�

鈥淭hey need to take into account every single difference and similarity they share with their students, because there are cultural identities they form with that information. Knowing one鈥檚 self informs how one teaches."

鈥� Every student has something to bring to the table. Teachers need to validate those perspectives. 鈥�

Vandiver says she helps students to understand the different types of diversity they might encounter and learn how to break down stereotypes in the classroom.

鈥淭eacher preparation is not just about teaching now, but about policy. Education students need to embrace students with backgrounds they aren鈥檛 familiar with. This calls for strong pre-service teachers, and our teacher preparation also has to address educational and disciplinary policies that are compassionate and fair.鈥�

The coauthor of , , , , and , Vandiver鈥檚 research includes diversity in textbooks and curriculum reform.

She also counsels future teachers to remember that elementary school students are still in their formative years.

鈥淭here are so many things that impact students at this age. As a teacher, you have to tap into what kids want to learn, who they are, and what interests them. We are just as influential in their lives as their parents are when it comes to issues like social skills and conflict resolution, for instance. I always keep these things in mind when I鈥檓 preparing students to teach.鈥�