Diverse Learners

What It Is

Picture a typical class of 20 students. What comes to mind? If you really think about it, you realize there is no such thing as a “typical” class—or a “typical” student, for that matter. There may be students who are exceptionally bright, even gifted. There may be other students who really struggle or who aren’t good readers. Others may learn more easily by hearing and seeing concepts in action rather than reading about them. The class may have several English language learners or students who are visually or hearing impaired. If you think about each child in the classroom individually, you realize that the typical classroom is indeed a classroom of diverse personalities and diverse experiences—a classroom of diverse learners.

Why It Matters

When we think of diverse learners or diversity in the classroom, we often focus on students who are culturally or linguistically diverse. This is no surprise considering that our school-age population is more culturally and linguistically diverse than the general population. There are a variety of learning styles to consider as well when thinking about the definition of diverse learners, however. Transforming the learning environment to embrace all students can help create a community of successful learners, including those students who don’t fit the mold of the “ideal” or “typical” student.

What We Do

In recent years, our work has focused on promoting the Professional Teaching and Learning Cycle (PTLC) which helps meet the needs of diverse learners through teacher collaboration and study groups. Using the PTLC process, teachers examine student data and reflect on instructional practices to make sure the needs of each student is being met. We have also provided literacy training to the teachers in New Orleans’s Recovery School District. The training, aligned to Louisiana standards, equips teachers with strategies that address the needs of struggling readers at all grade levels.