Cultural Diversity

Knowledge and competencies related to American school culture

Staff members who work with students from other cultures need to be cognizant that American culture, especially in our schools, can be very different from a school in another country.

Pacer Center - Getting Off to a Good Start: Positive interactions with diverse families (right)

The adage, “You never have a second chance to make a first impression,” applies to school professionals who want to establish good relationships with the families they serve. For a parent from a diverse community, the typical challenges are often compounded by differences in language, culture, and traditions. The first contacts provide the opportunity for the family to view the school experience as positive and responsive. The following tips are designed to help you create and maintain effective partnerships with families, leading to increased parent involvement, and ultimately better outcomes for children.

20 Surprising Cultural Differences in Schools Around the World 

This article was written by Karen Kane and shared on weareteachers.com. In it, she discusses some of the cultural differences from schools around the world.

Being Mindful of Cultural Differences 

This article was written by Rusul Alrubail and shared on edutopia.org. In it, he provides a short list of cultural differences that educators should be aware of in their classroom.

Culturally Responsive Instruction 

This article shows teachers how to bring rich cultural content into their teaching in a way that expands students' knowledge, interest, and respect for the group being featured. The article offers suggestions that teachers can use throughout the school year, as well as when observing cultural and religious holidays and celebrations. (originally written for the American Federation of Teachers)