How can diversity in the classroom help me be a better teacher?

          In Chapter Two of our textbook, we read about various types of diversity that can be found within the classroom. This included gender, race, socioeconomic status, and disabilities. Although this question was never directly answered, I feel as though from the reading I found ways diversity could be helpful. Students of different backgrounds come to class with different ideas and opinions. These ideas and opinions can add much depth and knowledge into class discussions and activities. Diversity could also help me, by expanding my horizons and opening my mind to new ideas and thoughts. As a teacher, we must treat all our students the same and honestly, I see no difference between a girl and a boy, or a low-class student and a middle-class student. However, as a teacher, you must take this diversity and use it to your advantage, as well as your students'. In a classroom, students not only learn from you, but from their peers as well. Thus, diversity can help teach students that it is okay to different, that not everyone has to be the same. My only concern is that it may be difficult to deal with the diversity of different socioeconomic statuses. It makes planning projects and outside of class activities harder, seeing as you must try to plan projects/activities using supplies that would not require students to go out and buy new supplies, such as paper or markers.