Final ThoughtsI grew up in a multicultural, mixed-race home. My mother is Korean and African American, my biological father was African American and Native American, and my stepfather is Caucasian. For as long as I can remember, I've heard the word "diverse" used to describe my family as if they were special or unusual, but I never really understood why some people thought it was unusual. This is my family; That's all I knew so it was normal for me. My mother is a social worker and very often exposed my siblings and me to the different diversities of the people she met. She worked in several group homes where the tenants were gay, transgender or bisexual. I sometimes accompanied her on home visits and met many of the people she helped. I also met many American veterans that she helped. Some of them suffered from physical disabilities, mental illnesses or were homeless. I believe it is through these experiences that I have gained what I consider to be a clear understanding of diversity.Impact of coursework and fieldworkWhen it comes to the classroom, I am always aware of the diversity of colleagues and students. I recognize the differences between others and myself and I always try to understand and respect these differences. Perhaps the most important things that EDUC 5173 helped me do is learn how to address diversity in the classroom and create a culturally sensitive environment for students. Lessons were presented in a variety of ways, such as learning journals, Socrates cafes, and wikis, and all assignments addressed and catered to different learning styles. I had to diversify the way I accomplished each mission and think differently for each mission...... middle of paper ......d respect for others and their differences, but when I thought about what the word value means, I wonder if I actually did it. I asked myself: “How much value do I place on diversity? » The answer is this: I view diversity with esteem. I believe that valuing diversity is equivalent to valuing a person. Diversity is not an obstacle to overcome but an advantage for human growth and positive change. Without diversity, the advancements we experience in technology, medicine, art, and the many other aspects that make up our lives would not exist today. Diversity should not be feared or ignored; it must be welcomed and embraced.ReferencesCushner, K., McClelland, A. and Safford, P. (2012). Human diversity in education (7th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. Wong, H.K., Wong, R.T. (1991). First days of school. Sunnyvale, CA: Harry K. Wong Publications.