Discussion Boards

Just wanted to get on the discussion board and say that I look forward to contributing to the National Center's Diversity Education Program for teachers. My name is Wayne Osako. I am a middle school history teacher of 6 years. Though I'm not teaching right now (I'm "in-between jobs" and shifting my focus toward the arts and possibly grad school), I was actively involved in energizing my students through programs such as National History Day and Project Citizen service learning. The only way I know how to really teach is through inspiration, student empowerment, and imagination. People who know me well know that if you sincerely ask me for something (help, feedback, or just talk), I am more than willing to do what I can.

Hi, I’m Adrienne Lee, and I’m the Program Manager for the National Diversity Education Program. Welcome to the Program discussion board! I hope that this will be a lively and active home-base for all of you and a place for all of us to share thoughts and information about diversity education and the middle school community.

Here’s a little bit about me. I joined the Japanese American National Museum just over a year ago, and I’m very happy to be a part of this Program. My background is in publications and arts education, and I spent a number of years with the Getty Education Institute and with the Los Angeles Music Center working on print and online arts education resources. I’m currently half-way through the Leadership in Museum Education graduate program at Bank Street College of Education in New York City. (I’m happy to explain the logistics on that one later!) I’m both a visual and performing artist (violin), and you might occasionally see my work or my performances around town during the year. Of course, I never sleep.

I’m interested in issues of diversity and diversity education from a personal and professional standpoint and will be interested in hearing what everyone has to say—so let’s get started! I look forward to an exciting Program year and welcome your participation in these online discussions!

Let’s hear from YOU now!

My name is Allyson and I am the Teacher Programs Manager at the Japanese American National Museum. I work on several different projects, but just completed one that involved hosting 25 educators from six states for the 2005 National Summer Institute for Educators. The theme of this year’s four-day professional development program was "Diversity and Democracy." I look forward to telling you all more about how it went in the future. (Or you can ask Margaret or Melvin!)

Can’t wait to hear more about the challenges and successes everybody has had in teaching about diversity and/or teaching diverse learners.

Hi, I'm Greg Dobie, and I'm on the advisory committee for the National Diversity Education Program.

Every Saturday morning, when I look out at the faces of my adult immigrant citizenship students, I wonder about the meaning of democracy. How am I, as a teacher, a representative of democracy? What kind of citizens will my students become? How will a more diverse citizenry change American democracy? What does the U.S. government consider important for citizenship? What do I consider important for citizenship? How big is the gap between the ideal of democracy and its reality?

I look forward to seeing how other educators address these kinds of questions through their curricula, papers, seminars, projects, conversations, etc.

Congratulations on your selection as a participating educator. I will be working with all of you to understand the nature of your experience in the National Diversity Education Program as the program's evaluator. Soon, you will be arriving in Los Angeles to meet others involved with this effort, to strengthen your understanding of what this program is all about, and to share your plans for your projects. I am looking forward to meeting all of you.

My name is Jeanine Dell'Olio. I am so pleased to be part of this group and excited about meeting all of you in October. I am a teacer educator at Hope College--a liberal arts college in Holland, MI. I taught elementary and middle school in Los Angeles and New York City for eleven years. I have been a teacher educator for fifteen years. My bachelor's degree is from UCLA in Theater. I received my initial teacher certification at the GSE at UCLA. My student teaching assignments were at the lab school there--which was not very diverse in 1977-1978 and at Robert Hill Lane Elementary in Monterey Park--which was very diverse. I did graduate work in Dance Education at NYU and Curriculum and Teaching at Teachers College, Columbia University where I also received my doctorate in Teacher Education.

I am passionate about working with beginning teachers. I was consistently in the minority as a student during my public school education, and I believe it gave me an invaluable perspective on the world. As a teacher educator, I know that our new teachers must appreciate the richness of diversity in our country and understand that we cannot live in a healthy democracy unless all voices are heard. Beyond that, they must be equipped to help their own students envision and actualize our democracy as it might be, not as it currently is. I remain hopeful that we can achieve this. I am looking forward to learning from all of you.

Hello to all involved with the Diversity Program! My name is Kim Douglas and I live in Holland, Michigan, where I juggle a number of wonderful activities. I teach Expository Writing and Encounter with Cultures at Hope College. I'm a writer and at work on more than a few different projects at the moment. I'm the mother of two daughters, Aleah and Anisa, 12 and 9-years-old, and the step-mom of a lovely young adult, Jenai. My husband, David, who you will meet at the end of the month, and I have worked hard to deal with the vital and challenging issues of diversity in our community. We helped to found the Alliance for Cultural & Ethnic Harmony, which enjoys a growing membership of individuals who really want to see our community freed of the stain of racism and prejudices. Last year, we traveled to Dublin, Ireland to serve as keynote speakers at a conference on cross-cultural families. That was fabulous. We even had tea with the Lord Mayor of Dublin. Wherever we go, we strive to promote cross-cultural understanding. I look forward to meeting all of you and learning from you.

Just kidding. No southern belle here. I'm from Michigan. I'm one of the participants in the National Diversity Education Program. I'm excited about our project, and can't wait to hear all about the rest of the projects.

I've taught 7th and 8th grade social studies for the past three years, but I'm teaching 7th grade English this year. I love working with middle school students.

In addition to teaching English, I also am the theatre teacher/department head and direct 5 productions each school year. I love everything about theatre and am the artistic director for Portage Players, a local community theatre. Like the rest of you, I've learned to do without a lot of sleep.

I love sharing my passion for learning and life with my students. I'm looking forward to meeting all of you in just a couple of weeks! See you in LA!