Culturally Responsive Teaching & Living

As we get ready to go back to school this fall, we are energized from the summer. The fall-like air the last few days is just the right timing to make it official. Love the summer, but love the fall so much too! My boys may not be as excited as I am for school supply shopping, but I am! It goes with the territory of being a teacher regardless how much I love summer.

Watching the Olympics this past two weeks has taught us a number of things – including:

*Help each other up. We are all humans (well – all of us except those of us impersonating humans) and just need a hand once in a while. You may have fallen, but you don’t need to stay there.

*We are different, and that is wonderful. As the Olympic athletes pour out their blood, sweat, and tears, they are the same in that way, representing their countries and their dreams.

*Be humble and kind. Winning isn’t everything, but when you do, share the glory. No one is an island – at least not forever. Eventually you need a ship for supplies or other life to keep living.

Work Hard – Play Hard! Repeat!
*Work hard, play hard. One of my favorites… and so true. Both lose their purpose without the other. Live each day this way. It is a simple recipe for success.

Thinking about these Olympic stories – remember the takeaways as you head to school this fall. Whether welcoming a student at the door or sending your own student out the door on his or her way to kindergarten, middle school, high school, or beyond – be responsive.

Culturally Responsive Teaching is not a new concept by any means. It is common sense and incredibly valuable; it just needs revisiting from time to time. We need to be reminded what we know and what we know is right and just.

What is culturally responsive teaching? “A pedagogy that crosses disciplines and cultures to engage learners while respecting their cultural integrity. It accommodates the dynamic mix of race, ethnicity, class, gender, region, religion, and family that contributes to every student’s cultural identity. The foundation for this approach lies in theories of intrinsic motivation” (Wlodkowski & Ginsberg, 1995).

Resources to consider and share when preparing for a culturally responsive classroom or workplace – aka respectful zone where everyone is valued for who they are and what they bring to the space. We can all learn more and grow more from each other starting today.
Strategies & tools:

Have you seen the Ron Clark story yet? Watch the film – great motivation to be the best teacher possible starting today.