Education and Workforce Development

Virginia Department of Education - Cultural Competency Training

What is Cultural Competency?

• The capacity of educators to understand their own cultural identity.
• The ability to recognize and appreciate diverse cultures, backgrounds, and experiences.
• The use of cultural awareness to support academic achievement, growth, and empowerment for all students.

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• A commitment to creating inclusive and equitable learning environments.
• An ongoing process of self-reflection, learning, and engagement with diverse communities.

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Key Components:

• Self-Reflection

• Culturally Responsive Pedagogy and Practices

• Inclusive Learning Environments

• Community and Family Engagement

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Virginia Department of Education Definition

"The capacity of educators to understand their own cultural identity, understand the different dimensions of diversity, and use those dimensions of diversity to foster academic achievement, growth, and empowerment for all students."

• This micro-competency means:

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You regularly think about your own beliefs, experiences, and habits, and how they affect the way you make decisions and treat other people, specially in school and learning environments.

• Micro-competency = a small skill of regularly reflecting on your own beliefs and actions and how they affect others.

It’s about self-awareness

For example:

• “Why do I think this way about this student or situation?”
• “Could my personal experience be affecting my judgment?”
• “Am I being fair and respectful in my decisions?”

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What do I believe about my students’ ability to succeed?

• All students can learn and improve with support and effort.
• Every student can succeed, even if they learn in different ways or at different speeds.
• challenges do not define a student’s ability.�

What do I believe enables students to succeed?

• A safe, respectful, and supportive classroom environment
• Clear instructions and fair expectations
• Encouragement and positive feedback
• Understanding that students have different backgrounds and needs
• Opportunities to ask questions and make mistakes

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What behaviors do I exhibit that elicit student success?

• Encourage students and recognize their efforts
• Treat all students fairly and respectfully
• Give clear instructions and extra help when needed
• Stay patient when students struggle
• Create an environment where students feel safe to participate

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What beliefs do I have about teaching and learning?

• Teaching is about helping all students grow, not just finishing the lesson
• Students learn best when they feel respected and supported
• Learning is different for every student
• Mistakes are part of learning, not failure
• Teachers should continuously improve their own practice

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 �The Power of Self-Reflection�

What it means:

Self-reflection means teachers think about what they do in the classroom, how it affects students, and how they can improve over time.��

1. Understand student progress

• Teachers look at how their teaching affects different groups of students
• Helps them see who is doing well and who needs more support
• Makes sure all students have a fair chance to succeed

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�2. Improve teaching and leadership style�

• Helps teachers understand their own strengths and weaknesses
• Shows what kind of teacher or leader they are becoming
• Helps them adjust their approach to better support students

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3. Learn what works and what doesn’t

• Helps identify teaching methods that help students learn better
• Shows which strategies are not effective
• Encourages teachers to try better approaches over time

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4. Supports professional growth

• Helps teachers become more skilled and confident
• Encourages lifelong learning and improvement
• Makes teaching more effective over time

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1. Self-Evaluation and Formalized Teaching Inventories

• A teaching inventory is basically a structured list or questionnaire that helps teachers evaluate their teaching practices.
• Teachers review their own teaching using tools or checklists
• Helps them see strengths and areas to improve

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2. Reflection protocols

• Using structured questions or steps to think about teaching
• Helps make reflection organized and consistent

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3. Journaling reflections

• Writing thoughts about what went well and what didn’t
• Helps teachers track growth over time

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4. Recording and reviewing lessons

• Watching recordings of their own teaching
• Helps teachers notice things they may not see in the moment

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5. Setting growth goals through self-audit

• Identifying areas to improve and setting goals
• Helps teachers focus on continuous improvement

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6. Working with colleagues

• Sharing ideas and getting feedback from other teachers
• Learning from others’ experiences

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7. Reviewing student progress and teaching strategies

• Looking at student results to see what works
• Adjusting teaching methods based on student learning

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Key Ideas About Self-Reflection and Student Success

• All students can learn and improve
• Student success is strongly connected to how effective teaching is
• When teachers improve their practice, student learning improves too
• High expectations for all students help create better academic outcomes

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• Teachers’ beliefs about students influence how they teach and support them
• Self-reflection helps teachers understand and improve their expectations
• Better teaching practices lead to better student performance

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Observable Data for Self-Reflection

1. Evaluating student work
1. Teachers review students’ assignments, tests, and projects
2. Helps them see what students understand and where they struggle

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2. Seeing mistakes as part of learning

• Mistakes are used as learning opportunities, not failures
• Helps students improve instead of feeling discouraged

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3. Using formative data to understand students

• Teachers use quizzes, class activities, and feedback to track progress
• Helps identify each student’s strengths and areas for improvement

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4. Giving challenging lessons with support

• Teachers provide difficult but achievable work
• They give extra help or “scaffolds” (like hints, examples, or step-by-step guidance)

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5. Monitoring praise and positive interactions

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• Teachers check how often they give encouragement and feedback
• Makes sure all students feel supported, respected, and included

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Day 2

��What is Strengths-Based Pedagogy?��

• What is a strength?

- A strength is something a student is naturally good at or already does well

- Every student brings different strengths into the classroom

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What is strengths-based teaching?

• A teaching approach that focuses on what students can do well
• Teachers use students’ strengths to support learning and growth
• It creates a positive and supportive learning environment

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Why starting with strengths matters

• Helps students feel capable and confident
• Sends the message: “You can succeed and grow”
• Builds motivation and encourages students to try harder tasks

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How teachers use strengths in learning

• Teachers design lessons based on students’ abilities and interests
• They build on what students already know
• They still support weak areas, but in a positive way

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Benefits for students

• Students see themselves as successful learners
• Increases motivation and engagement in learning
• Encourages students to take on challenging work
• Helps students grow in confidence and skills

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�Strengths-Based Teaching Approach�

• Focus on what students do well and build on their strengths.
• Use students’ interests, experiences, and prior knowledge to support learning.
• Connect lessons to students’ backgrounds, cultures, and communities.
• Recognize that every student has unique strengths and learning needs.

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• Help students develop confidence in their abilities.
• Encourage students to take ownership of their learning.
• Create meaningful learning experiences that relate to real life.
• Support academic growth and lifelong learning.

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Why It Matters:

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• Builds self-confidence and motivation.
• Increases student engagement.
• Helps students reach their full potential.
• Creates a positive and inclusive learning environment.

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What is Inquiry Learning?

• Students learn by asking questions and exploring ideas.
• Encourages curiosity and active participation.
• Students work independently or in groups to solve problems.
• Focuses on investigation, discovery, and critical thinking.

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Benefits Of Inquiry Learning

• Develops problem-solving skills.
• Promotes deeper understanding of concepts.
• Encourages students to think independently.

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Project-Based Learning (PBL)

• Students learn by completing meaningful projects.
• Connects classroom learning to real-world situations.
• Gives students a voice and choice in their learning.
• Allows students to demonstrate understanding in creative ways.

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Examples:

• Researching a current issue.
• Participating in online debates.
• Designing and building a model.
• Applying math skills to solve real-life problems.

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Benefits:

• Increases engagement and motivation.
• Develops collaboration and communication skills.
• Builds creativity and independence.

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What are Performance Assessments?

• Students demonstrate what they know through tasks and projects.
• Focus on applying knowledge to real-world situations.
• Students explain and defend their ideas orally or in writing.
• Assess important skills and learning standards.

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Examples:

• Presentations
• Research projects
• Written reports
• Problem-solving tasks

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Benefits:

• Measures deeper understanding.
• Encourages critical thinking.
• Connects learning to real-life experiences.

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1. Discussion Protocols

• Structured conversations that encourage all students to participate.
• Help students share ideas, listen to others, and think more deeply.

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2. Sentence Stems

• Provide sentence starters to support speaking and writing.
• Help students use academic language with confidence.

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3. Graphic Organizers

• Visual tools that organize ideas and information.
• Help students understand concepts and make connections.

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4. Manipulatives

• Hands-on materials used to explore and learn concepts.
• Support learning through active participation and problem-solving.

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5. Songs and Spoken Word

• Use rhythm, music, and spoken language to reinforce learning.
• Help students remember important concepts and information.

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6. Quality Feedback

• Timely, specific, and actionable guidance from teachers or peers.
• Helps students recognize strengths and improve their work.

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7. Student Reflections

• Opportunities for students to think about their learning and progress.
• Encourage growth by learning from challenges and mistakes.

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8. Goal Setting

• Helps students create clear learning targets.
• Builds motivation, confidence, and a sense of achievement.

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Why These Tools Matter

• Promote active student engagement.
• Support different learning styles and needs.
• Strengthen critical thinking and communication skills.
• Help students develop confidence and independence.
• Support academic growth and lifelong learning.

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Day 3

3. Learning Environments

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• Schools bring together students from different backgrounds and cultures.
• Classrooms should be safe, welcoming, and respectful spaces.
• When students feel valued, they participate more and share ideas.

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• Positive relationships build trust between students and teachers.
• A supportive environment encourages students to take learning risks.
• Taking risks helps students grow academically and cognitively.

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4. Family and Community Engagement

Community Engagement in Education

• Schools, families, and communities work together to support student learning.
• Families are seen as partners, not just participants.
• Schools listen to families’ ideas, concerns, and feedback.
• Everyone works together to find solutions that support students.

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• Trust is built through open communication and shared decision-making.
• Students get more opportunities for learning, enrichment, and growth.
• Support is continuous, not just one-time events or programs.

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Key Idea:

Strong partnerships between schools, families, and communities help all students succeed.

1. Learning Festivals

• Parents and community members connect learning to real-life experiences.
• Help students understand how school content is used in the real world.
• Give families a chance to share ideas in teaching and learning.

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2. Community Coffees / Dinners

• Informal meetings between schools, families, and community members.
• Build strong relationships and trust.
• Allow families to share concerns, ideas, and feedback.
• Help schools and families work together on solutions.

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3. Community-Based School Events

• Back-to-school events held in community spaces (parks, centers, etc.).
• Focus on building relationships, not just school information.
• Families can share their goals and expectations for students.

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4. Support for Families and Students

• Share information about learning pathways and opportunities.
• Includes AP courses, dual enrollment, gifted programs, and career-focused academies.
• Helps families understand options for student success and growth.

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5. Opportunity Forums

• Regular sessions to inform families about academic programs and pathways.
• Explain advanced courses, college credit options, and special programs.
• Help students and families make informed academic decisions.

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6. Online Resource Hub

• A shared online space with learning activities and support tools.
• Includes local programs, resources, and educational events.
• Helps students continue learning beyond the school day.

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