ABSTRACT
We live in a diverse society. The power dynamic that is referenced in the above quote research exists. Although educators would like to believe that a respectful classroom is accessible to all children and families, this is not an easy feat, “because, at least in the human development/education fields, we’ve been taught a deficit model where intellectual, family, and mental health practices that differ from the mainstream, middle-class norm are not viewed as cultural differences but as defects or inadequacies” (Gonzalez-Mena, 2008, p. 13).
