Talking About Cultural Diversity: Secondary Education Teachers Discussing Cultural Diversity With Colleagues and School Management

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 32
  In Roundtable Session: Collaborating to Advance Multicultural and International Education

Abstract

Teaching in a multicultural class can put a heavy demand on teachers’ competences compared to teaching in a less diverse classroom (Wubbels et al., 2006). Many teachers in The Netherlands indicate to have low multicultural efficacy in culturally diverse classrooms (De Jong & Nelis, 2018). Communication between and support from teachers and school leaders could increase teachers’ self-efficacy about multicultural education (Van der Steenhoven & Van Veen, 2014). 44 secondary education teachers were asked whether they discussed culturally diversity with their colleagues and school management and were administered to a questionnaire about their perspective on school-wide perspectives on multiculturalism. 61% discussed cultural diversity with their colleagues and 35% with school management. Reasons for (not) discussing cultural diversity are discussed.

Authors

• Nadira Saab, Leiden University

• Wendy Zwaanswijk, Leiden University

• Cynthia Groff, Leiden University