Introduction

Culturally responsive teaching leads a fundamental role in shaping the everyday student interactions and planning relevant and meaningful lessons. My teaching philosophy envisions the robust combination of differentiated instructional strategies and socio-emotional learning opportunities needed to cultivate a joyful and rigorous learning environment. My vision first requires deep introspection of my own identity and how it impacts my student’s wellbeing. This vision progresses to creating a space to foster authentic relationships by including students’ diverse, culturally rich experiences and insights. Then, the environment translates to recognizing my students’ individual needs and carefully planning lessons reflective of their learning styles and lived-experiences. Through this effort, my students feel heard, validated, and empowered to learn a multicultural history and apply the information to a modern context. 

This section explores my approach to planning and executing culturally responsive teaching through introspection, intentional planning, continuous self-reflection, and the execution of culturally relevant lessons and activities.