Culturally Responsive Teaching

Author: Dr. Jill Purdy

Associate Professor, Director of Graduate Program, Cedar Crest College, Pennsylvania

Embarking on a career as an educator has never been more challenging than it is today. Teachers must be prepared to meet the challenges of increasingly diverse classrooms- classrooms comprised of students of various ability levels, races, religions, and languages. Culturally responsive teachers infuse their instruction with examples, texts, and visuals that embrace the experiences of the learners they teach. Principals need teachers who are skilled in cultural responsivity who can develop successful learning environments for all students.

Consider that each student comes to the classroom with prior knowledge based on his/her unique and experiences. While some students’ backgrounds and previous experiences may be different than those of the dominant culture, every student has something unique to offer. Establish your classroom as a safe space where students can share their stories and where contributions from all students are welcomed and celebrated.

Learning each student’s name is a simple but powerful starting point for becoming a culturally responsive teacher. Learn each student’s name, pronounce it correctly, and greet each student by name at the classroom door each day. This simple act communicates clearly to students that they are valued and that they are a part of the classroom community. Our names are connected to our sense of identity. By greeting each student by name, the culturally responsive teacher begins to build a relationship based on respect.

When designing the classroom, the teacher should be sure that the classroom is representative of many racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds. Bulletin boards, classroom displays, student work, and instructional materials should all communicate the value of diverse cultures.

Culturally responsive teachers also use appropriate “wait time” during instruction. Wait time provides students with the time they need to think about the questions and formulate their responses. Providing response time is especially important for teachers who work with English Language Learners.

The ultimate goal of culturally responsive teaching is to advocate for students and to teach students to advocate for themselves. Through a strong commitment to CRT, a teacher can impact his or her students greatly.