Teaching Heritage While Navigating My Own

Growing up, I always identified as Portuguese because… well, I was born in Portugal! However, my journey has been anything but simple, taking me through many different countries and cultures. 

My childhood was spent in Mozambique, surrounded by Portuguese traditions from my parents, while also experiencing the cultures of their friends from India, South Africa, and our Mozambican neighbors. From there, I moved back to Portugal. As an adult, I then moved to the USA, followed by Spain, and today I live in Switzerland. Each place has left its mark on me, contributing to the person I am today.

Despite identifying as Portuguese, I never quite fit into that mold. Culturally, I feel like I have a bit of everything, and it often feels like I fit everywhere and nowhere at the same time. My family’s history is a tapestry of different backgrounds and stories. My father’s grandmother was an indigenous woman from Brazil. I’ve heard many stories about her and seen old photographs passed down through our family. On my mother’s side, my great-grandmother was English. This shows in how I look, with lighter skin, lighter eyes, and freckles, making me look more like my cousins on my mother’s side. My brothers, on the other hand, resemble our cousins on my father’s side.

This multicultural background has always made me question my identity. Am I Portuguese, or something else entirely? In today’s world, where cultural appropriation is a hot topic, I navigate carefully. I want to honor my heritage without overstepping or misrepresenting it. The truth is, I know very little about my indigenous roots, and I’m not even sure if my great-great-grandmother’s emigration was consensual. These uncertainties add another layer of complexity to my understanding of patriotism and heritage. 

Patriotism can be a powerful force for good. It fosters a sense of pride and belonging, encouraging people to celebrate their country’s achievements and values. In education, this can translate to a positive environment where students learn to appreciate their heritage and develop a strong sense of identity. But what happens when you live in a different country and have connections to many cultures?

Patriotism is about love for one’s country and a desire to contribute positively to its well-being. It’s inclusive and respectful of other cultures. For example, celebrating national holidays, learning about a country’s history, and participating in community service are all ways to express patriotism. In the classroom, this could mean having students share their favorite traditions or creating projects that highlight national achievements, fostering a sense of pride in their heritage.

Nationalism, on the other hand, can sometimes manifest as a sense of superiority over other countries and cultures, which can be divisive. For instance, emphasising one country’s dominance in history or sports can lead to a lack of appreciation for other cultures and create an environment of exclusion. This is why it’s important to avoid crossing the line from patriotism to nationalism.

As an educator, fostering patriotism while avoiding the pitfalls of nationalism is key to creating an inclusive classroom environment. Encourage students to appreciate their own culture while also learning about and respecting others. For example, during international days, you could have students present aspects of their heritage, such as food, music, or customs, and discuss how these contribute to the global community. By highlighting both the uniqueness and the shared values of different cultures, students learn to appreciate diversity and develop a broader understanding of the world.

Working for an international school, I have the unique opportunity to celebrate national holidays from various countries. This allows my students to share their own traditions while learning about others, fostering mutual respect and understanding. Even though I am teaching in a country different from my own, I encourage my students to explore and appreciate the local history and culture. This helps them feel connected to their current home while also valuing their own diverse backgrounds. This approach has enriched my teaching experience and created a more inclusive and dynamic classroom environment.

Encouraging students to compare their own cultures with others promotes a broader understanding and respect for diversity. For example, this year, I shared with my students (age 4) that I speak Portuguese with my parents, English at school, and French when I go to the supermarket (I live and work in the French-speaking part of Switzerland). I then asked them which languages they speak. We created a board displaying all the languages spoken in our classroom. They absolutely loved it and would often visit the board to compare the languages and see which ones they had in common. We can replicate this with food, traditions, and other cultural aspects, allowing students to share and learn from each other’s backgrounds. This approach not only enriches their learning experience but also fosters a sense of community and mutual respect.

As an emigrant teacher, I try to use my unique background to teach students about the value of cultural diversity. I share my own experiences of living in different countries and how it has enriched my understanding of the world. I promote multilingualism by celebrating my students’ knowledge of multiple languages. I design my curriculum to include diverse perspectives and voices, encouraging students to share their languages and cultures. I teach them to be global citizens who respect and appreciate different cultures, preparing them to thrive in a multicultural world.

By fostering a sense of patriotism that is inclusive and respectful of all cultures, I believe we can help students develop a strong sense of identity and pride in their heritage, while also preparing them to thrive in a multicultural world.

For me, teaching heritage while navigating my own identity has been a journey of discovery and growth. I’ve learned to appreciate the richness of my multicultural background and to use it as a bridge to connect with others. By sharing my story and embracing both my heritage and my new home, I hope to inspire my students to do the same. 

Patriotism, when approached with openness and respect, can be a unifying force. It allows us to honor our roots while building a future that includes and celebrates diversity. In the end, teaching heritage is about more than just passing down traditions - it’s about fostering a sense of belonging and understanding in a complex, interconnected world. 

So, whether you are an educator, a parent, or someone interested in bilingualism and multicultural education, remember that our stories are our strength.