Equity in Education: Strategies to Connect with Students and Families Better

Are You Ready for the Cultural Diversity Shift?  

Culturally responsive teaching is much more than simply recognizing the cultural background of your students which is always a great start.  In today's multicultural world, cultivating culturally responsive teaching practices is becoming more and more necessary to successfully create a safe, welcoming, judge-free zone that is engaging and appropriate to all students.

It has been projected that the population of students in the United States public schools will soon be more than half minority students.  A top priority of educators today has been meeting the needs of diverse students with different cultural backgrounds, social-economic status along with varying learning styles.  With the rapidly-changing student demographics in school districts across the country, teachers must be able to understand and get in front of potential conflicts that may take place in their classrooms due to cultural differences.     

Action Steps to Becoming a Culturally Relevant Teacher

1. Get to know who you are as a person.  MOST IMPORTANT STEP!

• Your attitudes are influenced by your own culture. 
• If your students’ cultures differ from yours, you need to be sensitive to the differences in attitudes that may arise in the classroom. 
• Be aware of your own actions and working to shift your mindset into ones that are culturally inclusive and open minded.

2.  Get to know your parents and students.

• Be proactive learning about the different cultural backgrounds of your students. 
• Do your research, either online or talking to people from various cultures and races. Ask questions, ask questions, ask questions.  Be color brave!
• Do not avoid parent conversations that need to happen.  Be fearless to move forward!

3.  Make your classroom a safe, welcoming judge-free zone.

• Students must be able to look at situations regarding culture with an unbiased opinion and be comfortable asking questions to further their understanding.
• If a conversation arises about a current event or behavior a discussion should be welcomed, but be sure the discussion is directed towards learning, not criticizing.

4.  Bring culture into your education.  

• In your lessons, choose content that reflects the different cultures of your students.
• Lessons should incorporate multicultural information and approaches whenever possible.

5.  Adapt how you teach. 

• Are there any activities in your classroom that don’t benefit all students?
• What activities seem to engage all students and get them participating?
• What actions have you noticed seem to get the best reactions out of your students?