I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. -- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Chris has taught in Salt Lake City for more than 30 years. For 22 years Chris taught Special Education. He has been an Elementary School Counselor for 10 years. Currently, Chris is a School Counselor at Beacon Heights Elementary School. Chris received a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Utah. His lesson plan Transforming Communities of Learners is designed for the Sixth Grade classroom.

Melody has been teaching art for more than twenty years. She has taught at Weber State University and Salt Lake City Community College and given private lessons. She has taught in the public school system for seven years. Currently, Melody teaches Art at West High School. Melody has BA degrees in Fine Arts and Art History and an MA in Asian Art History, all from the University of Utah. She studied Art History and Art at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Melody is certified to teach Asian Brush Painting.

Her lesson plan Southwestern Pottery is designed for a High School arts classroom.

In 1979 Linda began working at West High School as a parent-volunteer. Four years later the principal suggested she go back to school and get a teaching degree. At 45 Linda began college as a "non-traditional" student. After 11 years of teaching World History at West High School, she retired and now serves as a mentor for new and provisional teachers. Her lesson plan The Melting Pot Myth is designed for a High School World Civilization class.

Tom has taught in Utah for fourteen years. He currently teachers photography at West High School. Prior to entering the classroom, Tom was a professional photojournalist for the San Diego Union, California. He has done freelance assignments for the L.A. Times, Santa Rosa Press Democrat, ABC’s 20/20 News Magazine, and many other private and corporate clients. His work can be viewed on tomszalay.com. Tom’s lesson plan Cultural Identity Through Art and Photography is designed for a High School Photography class.

"I created this lesson plan to see if teaching multiculturalism in my classroom would improve student performance. Although I had a great relationship with most of my students, there seemed to be a few, hardcore students that I couldn't reach.  It seemed as if I didn't have anything to lose, and hopefully, that I would have a lot to gain by making multiculturalism an explicit component of my curriculum. The results were even greater than I had imagined.  After beginning my lessons, the behaviors of all of my students improved.  Particularly, my resistant students began talking to me in the hallway, and I had no more behavior problems with them in the classroom -- during the last half of that school year I didn't need to write even one referral for misbehavior in my classroom.  In addition to the improved behavior, the students' grades began to improve.  I went from dreading trying to teach some students to looking forward to having them in my classroom. Finally, I realized that I was learning from them, about how to be a teacher, and how to become a better, more well-rounded, and fulfilled individual".

Pat has taught in Salt Lake City for more than 30 years, and currently teaches Family and Consumer Education at East High School. Pat received Bachelor of Arts degrees in Home Economics Education and Elementary Education from the University of Utah, and a Masters of Education from Westminster College. Her lesson plan Understanding the Difference is designed for the High School Family and Consumer Sciences classroom.

Donna has taught in Utah for 29 years. She currently teaches at Riley Elementary School. Her lesson plan Konnichiwa: Hello Japan is designed for the second grade classroom.

Fran has taught at West High School for 15 years. She teaches Honors, Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate English and Literature. Prior to teaching at West High School, Fran taught writing at Salt Lake Community College. Fran received a B.A., in English from Westminster College and a M.Ed., from the University of Utah. Her lesson plan Jewish Literature is designed for a High School Honors English classroom.

Susan has taught in the Salt Lake City School District since 1987. She has taught throughout Utah for 28 years. She currently teaches at Edison Elementary. Susan received her BS in Education from BYU and a MS in Urban Education with ESL and Reading endorsements from the University of Utah. Her lesson plan, Our Family Stories: What Can We Learn From Them? is designed for the elementary classroom.

Tara John received her BA in English from the University of Southern. She received her  M.ED., with an emphasis in reading from the University of Utah.  Tara has also completed an ESL endorsement.  Tara completed her student teaching at both West High School and Horizonte. She currently teaches at West High School (eight years). Tara’s lesson plan Storytelling in the Chicano-Hispanic Community is designed for a High School English class.

"It is essential that we, as educators, teach and inspire our students to respect all and to look beyond the stereotypes related to race, color, religion, mental abilities, socio-economic status, sex, physical abilities, sexual orientation, etc. We must teach, mostly by example, to embrace other’s uniqueness and learn to accept others for who they are."

“If you judge people, you have no time to love them.” -- Mother Theresa

Debra has taught Special Education for 20 years. She has spent half this time teaching in the Salt Lake School District. Debra received a M.A. in Special Education. She currently teaches at the Hilltop School, which is part of Primary Children’s Residential Treatment Facility. Her lesson plan Multicultural Literature and Social Studies is designed for the Elementary School (3rd - 5th grade) Social Studies classroom.

Diane has over 24 years of teaching experience. For the past 15 years she has taught at M. Lynn Bennion Elementary School. She received a B.S. in Elementary Education from the University of Utah. Her lesson plan, Japanese Americans in Utah is designed for the second grade classroom.

Joann is the Principal at Washington Elementary School. Prior to this position she taught 6th grade at Edison Elementary School (10 years), Bonneville Elementary School (2 years), and North Star Elementary School (1 year). Joann earned a B.A., in Elementary Education from Westminster College and a M.A. in Education and Leadership from Brigham Young University. Her lesson plan Oral Histories--The Stories of Life is designed for the Middle School Language Arts classroom.