Embracing Diversity: Lessons from A Children’s Book

Recently, diving back into elementary classrooms to read has been a highlight for me. As a former elementary teacher, nothing compares to the joy of sharing a new compelling story with enthusiastic students. This year, "I Want to be Spaghetti" by Kiera Wright-Ruiz caught my eye. Despite my initial hesitation, the story's message about the beauty of being oneself won me over, proving the age-old lesson: never judge a book by its cover.

The narrative follows a ramen noodle packet's wish to be spaghetti, leading to discoveries about the value of individuality and the importance of accepting others. This theme of acceptance struck a chord, not only with me but also with our students, who could nearly unanimously pinpoint it as the story's theme.

This reflection on acceptance brings me to the beautiful diversity within Willmar Public Schools. Our student demographics are as follows: American Indian (1.0%), Asian (3.9%), Black or African American (15.0%), Hispanic or Latino (43.6%), Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander (0.1%), White (34.3%), and Two or More Races (2.0%). Our students also include English Learners (24.5%), those in Special Education (19.9%), recipients of Free/Reduced-Price Meals (69.4%), and the homeless (0.5%).

These numbers paint a picture of a vibrant, diverse community, exemplified by a plasma-cut metal display of the world in Willmar Senior High School. This display, decorated with pins marking our students' origins, highlights the global reach of our school community. Acceptance is not just a principle here; it's a practiced reality, fostering countless friendships and enriching our educational environment.

The story of our boys' soccer team, as featured by Michael Lyne, alongside the commendation of educators like Mesay Doyamo, spotlighted in the University of Minnesota's article "A Quest for Equity in Ag," emphasizes our efforts to reflect our student body's diversity among our staff. These are examples of how we are working to create a staff that is reflective of our student body.

Additionally, we're excited about the future development of a teacher apprenticeship program. This initiative is designed to encourage our students to consider teaching careers, offering a pathway that includes dual credit classes, apprenticeship experiences, and the possibility of becoming licensed teachers who reflect the diversity of our student body.

Our diversity is one of our many strengths which fosters an environment of acceptance and understanding. Willmar Public Schools is a place where every individual is valued, and our collective diversity is celebrated. We are proud of our community, where acceptance and collaboration pave the way for a brighter future for all. #WillmarProud