Tim Laner

Tim Laner, a K-1-2 multiage teacher at Buckman Elementary School in Portland, Oregon, says that a diverse school environment helps children develop sensitivity to and acceptance of people with different backgrounds. Excerpted from a videotaped interview with Tim Laner (North Central Regional Educational Laboratory, 1998).

"What I really like about the experience here at Buckman, is that we do have kids from a diverse background, we have kids that are also socially and economically from different backgrounds, and yet they're coming together in one room and living and learning, so in that aspect that's kind of a nice benefit. But also the cultures, kids seeing moms and dads coming from different cultures, it's a normal thing, and I think the kids are going to grow up and be more aware and more sensitive that this world is made up of people from lots of different backgrounds and that's okay, that's a positive thing."

This Critical Issue was written by Ginger Rodriguez, a Chicago-area writer and editor specializing in educational issues, in collaboration with Judy Caplan, coordinator of school and family partnerships at North Central Regional Educational Laboratory. Additional expertise was provided by Judy Harris Helm, president of Best Practices Inc., an educational consulting firm in Brimfield, Illinois.

Date posted: 1998