Why+are+we+here

__**What is Multicultural Education?**__: "An educational concept that addresses cultural diversity and equity in schools. It incorporates the different cultural groups to which individuals belong, with an emphasis on the interaction of race, ethnicity, class, and gender in students' lives." Gollnick & Chinn, __Multicultural Education in a Pluralistic Society__, 7th edition.

__**Why is it important in the Secondary Education classroom?:**__ "Education that is multicultural provides an environment that values diversity and portrays it positively. Gender, age, race, ethnicity, native language, religion, class, or disability should not limit students' educational and vocational options. Educators have the responsibility to help students contribute to and benefit from our democratic society. Effective instructional strategies for all students in the classroom should not evolve solely from the teacher's culture; they should be drawn primarily from the cultures of students and their communities. The integration of multicultural education throughout the curriculum helps students and teachers think critically about institutional racism, classism, sexism, ablism, ageism, and homophobia. Hopefully, educators will help their students develop both individual and group strategies to overcome the debilitating effects of these society scourges. " Gollnick & Chinn, __Multicultural Education in a Pluralistic Society__, 7th edition.

Oh, and it's a requirement to graduate.