Use conversation starters to remove barriers and develop relationship

January 2009

When we conduct diversity training in schools, teachers frequently ask why students of the same racial or ethnic group sit together in the cafeteria or hang out together in a particular area of the school. We often recommend they read Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? by Beverly Tatum (Basic Books, 2003) because it provides an excellent explanation. But this same behavior occurs with teachers. When teachers come into our professional development sessions, they tend to sit with their friends, which is human nature. Because the session is about diversity, one of our first steps is to ask participants to move into small, diverse groups. Many are quick to balk because they have to leave their comfort zone and interact