Diversity covers such a broad variety of categories. Auburn University includes race, gender, ethnicity, physical ability, nationality, age, religion, sexual orientation, economic status, and veteran status as part of their definition of diversity. Although we all experience diversity in our every day lives, many of us do not realize it. Even if all of the people in your classes are all Caucasian or all female, you are all still diverse. Everyone does not come from the same background or culture, does not have the same religion or economic status, or even the same sexual orientation.
One of the most significant experiences of diversity I have encountered thus far was my time spent during my service learning experience. I was placed at a daycare center with predominantly African American staff and children. For one of the first times in my life, I felt as if I was the minority. I have always been considered part of the majority in my college, my church, my elementary, middle, high school, and even my work. Although it was slightly out of my comfort zone at the beginning, it became one of the things that I looked forward to most each week. Although the color of my skin was different, the employees nor the children saw me as any different, any less, or any more.
I gained a lot from this experience. I saw firsthand the importance of including all of my students, no matter what differences that they have. Even if it is something that I am not accustomed to, make sure that these differences do not have a negative affect on how they are perceived by me or their fellow classmates. I always knew that it was important to make sure that my students never felt this way, but I guess I was more or less reminded how important it really is after I experienced first hand. I will always remember a quote that my mother always told me growing up, she would always say, "Differences challenge assumptions." Take that in and really think about that.
