As I view the multi-faceted steel structures that lay before me only one thing comes to mind and that is how could this be built. On that note, from an educator’s perspective the resolutions are limitless. During the mid 1800s this iconic land mark if you have not already guessed it the Bethlehem Steel Stacks had major influences on the ethnicities that migrated to this area. In addition, this created a major confluence of different languages from immigrants who moved to the area to find work. The multitude of ethnicities created this void for educators that would need to be able to teach the future of America at a more advanced level.

 

 

 

 

If you look closely at the individual elements that make up the Steel Stacks, it can be compared to the multiple ethnicities of people it took to build this structure. Also, unlike structures of today’s era, back then each element was created by individuals with different strengths and abilities. This is why having a diverse education community is important for the modern classroom of today. Between the 1800-1900s when there was a massive boom in the economy parents would go off to work at the Steel Stacks leaving children with a proper education that they were yearning for.

 

During this time most of the immigrants came from European descent and were labeled as a blue group of people. It is important to not stereotype others and from the information I acquired the workers goal was to make sure their children would not fall under the same assumptions that were made about them. This is why education was heavily focused on during this time in the Bethlehem area. Also, the area was known for being a little revolutionary in essence of having the first college to educate women. This college is also known as Moravian College. Furthermore, the teachers who were starting their careers during this time were also from similar backgrounds, which made it easier for them to assimilate the students in this once tight knit community. On the other hand, it is important as an educator today to focus on the same concepts of including cultural backgrounds into your classroom.

 

Even though the demographics of Bethlehem are more diverse today it would be beneficial to have the parents of the students involved in the class. Some examples would be a show and tell about your heritage or bringing in cuisine from you culture. As an educator it is my duty to make sure that students take pride in their heritage since it represents their values as a learner and a human being. If students are able to express themselves, it can lead us to acquiring new information about them including their strengths and talents when making groups for assignments or in class work. This is similar to how those who built the vast amount of elements which created what we now call today the Steel Stacks. In the essence that each person involved was not afraid to showcase their talent and creativity. The Steel Stacks in many ways embody what it means to be a successful educator.