“A big ol’ melting pot” is a traditional metaphor for describing the U.S. as the home of different cultures blending into one, homogenous society. According to Sonia Nieto, this is also the mindset many teachers adopt when going into classrooms. However, at her recent lecture, Nieto challenged this, saying that diversity is a beautiful thing to be celebrated in all places, and particularly where all types of American youth gather-public school.  

Nieto was selected by the Watson College of Education to be the first in a series of lectures given by renowned scholars, which focus on all aspects of education. Kenneth Teitelbaum, Dean of Watson College, knows Nieto personally and felt confident in her ability to inspire students and faculty with her message.

“I knew how incredibly well-informed Dr. Nieto is while still being invigorating,” Teitelbaum said. “She’s down to earth and willing to reach out to all. It makes her easy to listen and talk to.”

Nieto has several published books to her name, one of which is used as a textbook on campus for a graduate course on multicultural education. Her various doctorates, awards and years of teaching experience have made her a household name to those in the field of diverse education.

Her March 13 lecture focused on a part of her forthcoming book, “Finding Joy in Teaching Students of Diverse Backgrounds.” Nieto delved into the importance of making students of all backgrounds feel welcome in school through first changing the mindsets of their teachers.

Nieto explained that in a classroom, a good teacher must be a capable instructor who is fueled by an absolute love of students and learning. She feels they must have traits of energy, humor, humility, reflection and preservation to hit home with children. But, above all, they must be culturally responsive.

“You cannot be a multicultural teacher without being a multicultural person,” Nieto said. “A teacher must not think of this as a charity, but a responsibility.”

Nieto used a combination of extensive research, personal experience and interviews with various other teachers, all of different backgrounds, to engage the audience. Each of these tools served to prove that diversity in schools can pose a challenge, but is what makes for well-rounded, confident youths of the future.  

Nieto’s lecture deeply touched graduate assistant and student, Sarah LaFevers, who is an elementary education major from the Watson College of Education.  LaFevers attended both the lecture and the Q&A session held for students the following morning.

“She’s so relatable and the talk went well,” LaFevers said. “She was able to take her theories and bring them down to where we’re at in our own education so that it could reach everyone.”

The four tips Nieto gives to beginning teachers most strongly affected LaFevers. During the Q&A, Nieto informed the students of the necessity to first learn who they were, then to learn who their students were, to develop allies, and to have a life outside of school. These things make for a successful classroom environment, happy students and an even happier teacher-all of which are crucial in touching the lives of children of all backgrounds.

Nieto’s lecture was the initial kick-off to the Watson College of Education’s Public Speakers series.