About the Author:
My name is Diana Hoang and I am currently in my last year studies within the Bachelors of Education Program at the University of Calgary. I am specializing in Elementary English as a Second Language (ESL) and my undergraduate studies was in Sociology. Both of these areas along with my own personal experiences with racial stereotyping have fuelled my particular interest in examining racial and ethnic stereotypes within our society and its implications within the classroom setting.
This website creates a conversation around racial stereotypes provoked by society and its consequences for the classroom. In today's world, we are consistently being bombarded with media and popular culture representations that serve to perpetuate and reinforce stereotypical manifestations. As much as we would like to deny it, we as human beings in our social interactions with one another, may occasionally elude to common racial stereotypes, whether it be intentional or a subconscious action. I admit that I am guilty of this myself as I am both a recipient of racial stereotyping as well as a perpetuator. In order to become the effective teacher I want to be, I know that one of my first steps is to examine and identify my own values, beliefs, and opinions before approaching my classroom.
For many people, these stereotypes consist of nothing more than a means of targeting silly jokes, however, many underestimate the seriousness of this topic as it may lead to prejudice, discrimination, and ultimately racism. As an ESL major working with students of various ethnic backgrounds, I feel it is important that I raise awareness of not only my own stereotypical beliefs and opinions, but also of those teachers, peers, and parents who make up the greater learning community to which these students are a part of. Their educational experiences and ultimate success relies a great deal on how they are perceived by their peers and authority figures. Thus, it is crucial that we examine any stereotypical beliefs we may possess and adjust them accordingly in order to enter the classroom with an open mind and clean slate. It is my hope with the creation of this website that I can begin to provoke self reflection and critical thought on this subject matter.
This website creates a conversation around racial stereotypes provoked by society and its consequences for the classroom. In today's world, we are consistently being bombarded with media and popular culture representations that serve to perpetuate and reinforce stereotypical manifestations. As much as we would like to deny it, we as human beings in our social interactions with one another, may occasionally elude to common racial stereotypes, whether it be intentional or a subconscious action. I admit that I am guilty of this myself as I am both a recipient of racial stereotyping as well as a perpetuator. In order to become the effective teacher I want to be, I know that one of my first steps is to examine and identify my own values, beliefs, and opinions before approaching my classroom.
For many people, these stereotypes consist of nothing more than a means of targeting silly jokes, however, many underestimate the seriousness of this topic as it may lead to prejudice, discrimination, and ultimately racism. As an ESL major working with students of various ethnic backgrounds, I feel it is important that I raise awareness of not only my own stereotypical beliefs and opinions, but also of those teachers, peers, and parents who make up the greater learning community to which these students are a part of. Their educational experiences and ultimate success relies a great deal on how they are perceived by their peers and authority figures. Thus, it is crucial that we examine any stereotypical beliefs we may possess and adjust them accordingly in order to enter the classroom with an open mind and clean slate. It is my hope with the creation of this website that I can begin to provoke self reflection and critical thought on this subject matter.