Culturally Responsive Relationships

Why are culturally responsive relationships important for math?
Cultural responsiveness is one of the guiding principles of the DR+Math Toolkit. Math learning is not neutral—it always happens in a cultural context. Striving for culturally responsive relationships is about understanding, responding to, and celebrating all the ways that culture influences each student's math learning experience. Positive and strong relationships between students and tutors/educators must also be culturally responsive so that all students can feel like they belong. Culturally responsive relationships in math learning contexts are important not only to promote a sense of belonging but also because of the following reasons. Click here to download this page as a PDF.

There are real systemic barriers in math like: lack of representation, inequitable access to high-quality math instruction, color-blind curriculum, discrimination, and implicit biases. [6]
Math stereotypes are still very prevalent and can be absorbed unknowingly by both educators and students alike (e.g., “Girls are just not good at math,” “Are you even Asian if you are not good at math?”, and “I can never learn math, I am just not a math person.”).
Math can seem cold and detached from culture. This might not appeal to students who prioritize communal values, interdependence, and commitment to help improve their lives. [7]
Math is often portrayed as individualistic, which can put off students who value collaboration and teamwork. [8]
Math is a gateway to many other subjects. Inequities and disparities in math learning can accumulate over time, directly impacting students’ educational and economic mobility. [9]

What is your own cultural backgrounds (i.e. sex, gender, race, age, and ability), and how do you think it has impacted your learning? What about math learning specifically?

In what ways can you try to understand your students' cultures and backgrounds?

How should tutors strive for culturally responsive relationships?
Cultural responsiveness looks different for each student and learning environment. In other words, there is no one single way to be culturally responsive that can apply to every context. Instead, this is a mindset or posture that is ever-evolving and dynamic. Cultural responsiveness takes time to develop, but there are still some general principles as you take whatever next steps are right for you and your students:

Communication of high expectations

In math, this can look like having genuine beliefs in every student’s capability to learn math, then clearly conveying your high expectations. This includes setting high expectations for everyone, but tailoring guidance and pace to meet individual differences. See Challenge Growth for more.

Learning within the context of culture

In math, this can look like using resources in students’ communities other than textbooks as learning materials. By doing so, you are actively connecting math to students’ real lives, which can have compounding positive effects. See Expand Possibilities for more.

Student-centered instruction

In math, this can look like empowering students to set their learning pace and goals. As such, you prioritize and uplift your student’s perspectives and position yourself as a facilitator of their learning. See Share Power for more.

Culturally-mediated instruction

In math, this can look like accommodating various learning styles and formats; for example, giving the option for independent work as well as collaborative learning. By doing so, you show that there is not just one correct way to do math. Instead, you welcome diverse ways of knowing, understanding, and representing math. See Express Care for more.

Positive perspectives on students, parents, and families

In math, this can look like genuinely seeing your students’ and their families’ funds of knowledge as assets. Regardless if that knowledge is recognized by textbooks or curricula, you make the effort to celebrate what each student brings into your math learning space. You also recognize the powerful influence families have on their children’s learning and empower parents to continue supporting learning at home.

How do you connect math to your students' cultural background?

How would you describe your students' math learning journey as different
or similar to your own math learning?

Resources to Cultivate Culturally Responsive Relationships

Cultural responsiveness is one of the guiding principles of the DR+Math Toolkit, and you can approach all of the activities/resources from this perspective. Here are three more resources as you continue to develop culturally responsive relationships:

Strategy Box
Personal Reflection | 15 minutes

Pillars
Personal Reflection | 20 minutes

Pulse Check
Personal Reflection | 20 minutes

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Strategy BoxPersonal Reflection | 15 minutes

PillarsPersonal Reflection | 20 minutes

Pulse CheckPersonal Reflection | 20 minutes

Strategy Box
Personal Reflection | 15 minutes

Pillars
Personal Reflection | 20 minutes

Pulse Check
Personal Reflection | 20 minutes