Media+Specialist+Interviews

= = = Media Specialist Interviews = []

**__Importance of being sensitive and responsive to a student’s culture, gender, age and stage of development__**

The media specialists interviewed felt very strongly about being sensitive to a student’s culture, gender, age and stage of development. The media specialists feel these attributes the students hold define them as a person. It is very important that a teacher/school personnel/administration be aware of a child’s background which should include their customs, beliefs and language. A child wants to feel welcomed and develop a sense of belonging when entering a new, unfamiliar territory. One media specialist stated, “Being sensitive and responsive to a student’s culture, gender, age, and state of development is the key to successful learning!”

**__Benefit of having a variety of cultures represented in the classroom__**

There is an enormous benefit of having a variety of cultures in the classroom. This opportunity gives the students the occasion to see and explore how other students from different cultures function in society. Students get the chance to see books and games from those other culturally diverse areas and this allows students to gain valuable knowledge about other cultures. Students also gain much knowledge from learning about one another. The variety of cultures represented in the classroom is a great benefit. Students’ have the opportunity to learn about the world around them. They can learn about new traditions, different languages, music, games, literature, and much more. The students benefit greatly by being aware of the life around them and taking a personal insight into a way of life different from their own.

**__The Ways Media Specialists can support students and teachers by serving as a__** **__resource for the selection of multi cultural materials__**

The ways a media specialist can support students and teachers by serving as a resource for the selection of multicultural materials are, first of all being knowledgeable of the multicultural materials available in their media center. Media specialist should check with their teachers to see what themes will be taught and order materials geared toward the lessons as well as multicultural items of interest. Media specialists help educators learn as much as they can about a students culture and their family’s background, customs and beliefs. Media Specialists can assist with locating videos, books, games and websites for the teacher to use to share information with all the students. Media Specialists can also find ways to incorporate neighborhood/community/school district outreach efforts to assist the teacher, student and families with the transition to new school community.

Here is a plan for collaborating with school librarians or media specialists to provide multicultural literature and resources. Using this document gives the educators an opportunity of effective communication. . []

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