Culturally Responsive Teaching
Empowering educators to connect with all students through inclusive practices that honor diverse backgrounds and learning styles.
Caroline Stringer
CAROLINE
Mother
Friend
Sister
Works in Hospital
Love the outdoors
Animal lover
Teacher
Reader
Runner
Travel
Mentor
Culture Shapes Our World
"Culture is the way every brain makes sense of the world. Everyone, regardless of race or ethnicity, has a culture."
- Zaretta Hammond
Key Practices for Cultural Responsiveness
Rich Dialogue
Create space for authentic cultural exchange
Cultural Knowledge
Develop understanding of students' backgrounds
Self-Reflection
Examine practices and personal biases regularly
Three Levels of Culture
Surface
Observable elements: food, music, holidays
Shallow
Social norms: courtesy, personal space, eye contact
Deep
Core values: beliefs about family, spirituality, identity
Surface Level Culture
Observable Elements
Food, dress, music, holidays
Tangible Artifacts
Literature, art, games, stories
Low Emotional Impact
Changes cause minimal anxiety
Exploring Surface Culture
Family Identity
Ethnic heritage, immigration stories, traditions
Community Context
Urban/rural living, economic status
Cultural Narratives
Family folklore, heroes, important stories
Educational History
First-generation status, family educational values
Shallow Culture
1
Social Protocols
Unspoken rules for daily interactions
2
Communication Styles
Nonverbal cues, eye contact, touching
3
Time Concepts
Punctuality, pace, future orientation
4
Respect Indicators
Attitudes toward elders and authority
Reflecting on Shallow Culture
Family Wisdom
Sayings, metaphors, and parables that guide behavior
Emotional Training
How to respond to anger, joy, or sadness
Authority Patterns
Interactions with elders, questioning norms
Value Signals
What behaviors earned praise or shame
The Roots of Our Cultural Identity
Deep culture is the foundation of our worldview. It influences our perspectives on fairness, family, and learning.
Conscious awareness
Visible cultural elements we can articulate
Tacit knowledge
Semi-conscious patterns we follow but rarely discuss
Unconscious assumptions
Deep beliefs about intelligence, success, and "doing school"
Deep Culture: Understanding the Invisible Forces in Education
Deep culture shapes how we perceive and interact with the world. It consists of unconscious assumptions that govern our worldview.
These hidden elements carry intense emotional charge and influence how we process new information.
The Cultural Iceberg
Surface Culture
Visible elements like food, dress, music, and language
Shallow Culture
Semi-visible beliefs about courtesy, time, and communication
Deep Culture
Unconscious beliefs about fairness, family, and intelligence
Four Areas of Culturally Responsive Practice
Awareness
Developing sociopolitical consciousness about education and inequality
Learning Partnerships
Building trust across differences for deeper learning
Information Processing
Strengthening students' intellectual capacity in culturally congruent ways
Community Building
Creating environments that communicate care and belonging
Principles for Culturally Responsive Practice
Communication of High Expectations
Active learning and Teaching Methods
Students strengths are identified and nurtured
Inclusion of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Teaching strategies
Cultural sensitivity
Supportive learning environment reflecting the cultures of all children
Small group instruction
Ex. Teacher incorporating student-led learning where students from diverse backgrounds propose ideas draw on their own cultural experiences. and share perspectives fostering a sense of ownership and engagement.
Understanding Microaggressions
Definition
Small, seemingly innocuous indignities that send hurtful messages to people of color
Characteristics
Often unconscious, nonverbal snubs, dismissive looks, and condescending tones
Impact
Creates hostile learning environments and undermines students' sense of belonging
Educator Response
Develop awareness of personal biases and intervene when microaggressions occur
Let’s Talk Books
Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry
Hair Twins by Raakhee Mirchandani and Holly Hatam (Illustrator)
Hairs / Pelitos by Sandra Cisneros
Happy to Be Nappy by bell hooks, Chris Raschka
I Love My Hair (Board Book) by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley and E. B. Lewis (Illustrator)
Shades of Black: A Celebration of Our Children
Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut by Derrick Barnes
Don't Touch My Hair! by Sharee Miller
The Hair of Zoe Fleefenbacher Goes to School by Laurie Halse Anderson
Big Hair, Don't Care by Crystal Swain-Bates
Sulwe by Lupita Nyong'o
My Hair Is a Garden by Cozbi A. Cabrera
The Princess and the Pea in Miniature: After Hans Christian Andersen by Harriet Ziefert
The World of Hair by Mary Ellen Pinkham
Culture and Language
Book Lists
Climate Justice
Food