Standard 3: Culturally Responsive and Sustaining Teaching

The ESOL teacher understands the importance of culture in language learning and creates a culturally responsive and sustaining classroom where students' diverse backgrounds, identities, strengths, and challenges are valued and incorporated into an inclusive learning environment. 

Standard 3: Culturally Responsive and Sustaining Teaching (document)

Follow the link below to access Standard 3: Culturally Responsive and Sustaining Teaching -  supporting explanation, summary, and sample applications on the ACLS MA Professional Standards interactive webpage. 

Culturally Responsive and Sustaining Teaching: Standard 3 (video)

This brief introductory video focuses on some of the key elements that comprise a truly culturally responsive and sustaining classroom. 

CRST Professional Development 

Culturally Responsive and Sustaining Teaching (Std 3)

This four-part workshop explores the what, why, and how of culturally responsive and sustaining teaching (CRST) in the ESOL context, with an emphasis on the how, and provides teachers with practical tools and strategies to create their own culturally responsive and sustaining teaching practice.  (Fall 2024)

Creating an Inclusive Teaching and Learning Environment 

An in-depth look at strategies to build a supportive culturally responsive learning environment.  (Spring 2024)

Civics Series: A collection of workshops that promises to assist with civics education in our ESOL classrooms (FY25)

Keep an Eye Out in FY 24!

Special Populations Series: Workshops designed for teachers serving particular groups in their classes. 

CRST Teaching Resource Collections 

Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Teaching Resource Collection

This site, created in-house by the SABES ESOL team, provides a thoughtfully curated collection of resources selected to support teachers of adult English learners in integrating rich and diverse materials into their curriculum and instruction.  It includes an array of relevant topics reflecting the concerns of marginalized communities, with many texts authored or produced by members of underrepresented groups.

These collections of instructional materials complement the collection of ADEI student-facing teaching resources (listed above) and will help you deepen your knowledge about building a culturally responsive learning environment to recognize and celebrate the diverse backgrounds, identities, strengths, and challenges of your students in an inclusive ESOL classroom. 

SABES CALENDAR