Culturally Responsive Teaching

How To

We all have culture, so it's critical to incorporate cultural elements into your learning environment. It's critical to focus on learner strengths, not deficits, and elevate those.

A CRT approach asks instructors to*:

1. Identify students’ assets, including strengths, interests, knowledge, culture, values, and language.

2. Create a supportive classroom environment by developing authentic, caring relationships and creating a welcoming classroom (face to face, in Brightspace, and on Zoom).

3. Examine the curriculum with a particular focus on high expectations with clear communication and expectations, all with a culture of understanding and grace. Include materials representing diverse perspectives, cultures, values, and languages in your curriculum so that learners see themselves reflected and also learn about others who may differ in one or multiple aspects. Allow student agency in topic selection and learning materials when possible.

4. Continue your own learning - start by exploring the resources below!

*Information from the Educators Team at Understood's article How to use culturally responsive teaching in the classroom. 

Additional Resources

• Brown University Culturally Responsive Teaching resources - overview of each of the 7 characteristics of culturally responsive teaching.

• Culturally Responsive Instruction and Teaching Basics video (7:59) - Renae Azziz Ed.S., NCSP, explains that instruction must be relevant for all learners and provides tips for incorporating CRT into your learning environment.

• Learning for Justice site - browse this site for classroom resources, teaching strategies, and self-guided learning resources related to culturally responsive teaching and incorporating a justice mindset into teaching and learning.

• Culturally Responsive Differentiated Instructional Strategies - NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development article describing ideas for implementing these strategies into your teaching, which includes sample lessons and helpful resources.

• Culturally Responsive Teaching & The Brain - brief article from Zaretta Hammond explaining the role of culture in education and some overarching ideas about how CRT affects cognition.

• 5 Culturally Responsive Teaching Strategies - blog post from Northeastern University.

• Certificate in Culturally Responsive Practice - 4-course, 100% online certificate program at The College of St. Scholastica.