Standards that guide teachers' preparation and professional development today require teachers to use their knowledge of cultural diversity. In Chapter 2, you learned about national teaching standards that guide your growth as a teacher and multicultural educator. Standards specific to social justice education have also been developed for educators. In particular, the Social Justice Standards: The Teaching Tolerance Anti-bias Framework (2018) developed by Learning for Justice (formerly Teaching Tolerance) provides strategies for antibias education for K-12 instruction. However, sometimes, the requirement that teachers use knowledge of cultural diversity results in a somewhat superficial treatment of culture in the teaching and learning process. Teachers must deeply understand various aspects of culture to educate all students effectively.
Imagine visiting a school in a state with which you are unfamiliar.
What would you like to know about the students' cultures in that school so you could get a deep understanding of the teaching and learning processes in that school?
Now, describe a plan for what should be included in an effective teacher preparation program that supports you and others in learning about culture and its impact on teaching and learning.
Work to use the national teaching standards and the social justice standards in your plan.
Full Answer Section
- Historical context: The historical and social context that has shaped the experiences of the students and their communities.
Teacher Preparation Program: A Cultural Understanding Framework
An effective teacher preparation program should incorporate the following components to support teachers in learning about culture and its impact on teaching and learning:
- Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity:
- Cross-cultural communication: Teach teachers how to communicate effectively with students from diverse cultural backgrounds.
- Cultural competence: Develop teachers' understanding of cultural differences and their impact on student behavior and learning.
- Bias recognition: Help teachers identify and address their own biases and stereotypes.
- Culturally Responsive Pedagogy:
- Culturally relevant curriculum: Explore strategies for incorporating culturally relevant content and examples into the curriculum.
- High expectations for all students: Promote a belief in the potential of all students, regardless of their cultural background.
- Culturally responsive teaching strategies: Teach teachers how to use culturally responsive teaching strategies to engage students from diverse backgrounds.
- Collaboration with Communities:
- Community partnerships: Foster partnerships with community organizations and leaders to gain a deeper understanding of the cultural context of the school.
- Family engagement: Encourage and support family involvement in the educational process.
- Ongoing Professional Development:
- Cultural immersion experiences: Provide opportunities for teachers to experience different cultures and perspectives.
- Mentorship programs: Pair new teachers with experienced mentors who can provide guidance and support.
- Assessment and Evaluation:
- Culturally responsive assessment: Use assessment strategies that are culturally appropriate and do not disadvantage students from certain backgrounds.
- Reflection and self-evaluation: Encourage teachers to reflect on their own cultural biases and practices and to seek feedback from students and colleagues.
By incorporating these components into a teacher preparation program, we can equip teachers with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively teach students from diverse cultural backgrounds. This will help to create inclusive and equitable learning environments for all students.