Meet Puerto Rico: Appreciating Diverse Cultures in the Academic Setting

Puerto Rico is a beautiful Island. Mountains and foothills cover more than half of Puerto Rico's land. The tallest mountain is Cerro de Punta. It is summer all year long in Puerto Rico. No snow ever falls. No one knows for sure who first lived in Puerto Rico. However, we do know that early settlers called the Igneris spoke the Arawak language. Later in history, the Tainos took over. The Tainos called the island "Boriquen" which means land of the Noble God. The Tainos honored their gods seriously and named an island as such.

Cultural understanding in all US schools is critical because according to the U.S. Census Bureau, Hispanics will become the nation's largest minority group by 2020. The nation's Hispanic population has grown almost five times faster than non-Hispanic populations in the last ten years. With these facts in mind, educators must begin understanding and appreciating diverse cultures.

Understanding the diverse cultures of students is based on and begins with respect for and appreciation of cultural diversity. This understanding extends to deeper elements such as values and beliefs. Understanding the background culture of students can greatly enhance instruction. It helps the educator understand:
the perceptions students themselves may have as learners
different strategies they may have for learning
socializing skills

Cultural understanding is a critical part to helping students successfully function in schools. All educators should examine the students they serve and make a conscious effort to learn about the diverse cultures they are serving in the classroom. Above all, we should expand on the achievements and gains those specific cultures have brought to the United States.

Quote of the day: Every educator's work is a portrait of himself.