DEI: Beginning with Introspection

Culturally Responsive Education is a kind of forward-thinking pedagogy that allows for the intentional inclusion of students from underrepresented groups and helps all students feel valued and included; this is accomplished by following specifically outlined methods of teaching, combined with high expectations for students. Teachers who are successful in this approach are those who put in concerted efforts to get to know, learn from, and engage with students and families who are culturally and often linguistically different from the teachers. To set the stage for this to happen, it is imperative that teachers do their own introspective reflection work to discover areas of growth that, once strengthened, can help them truly teach this way. This course will help participants understand how to approach this introspective process, providing a structure for reflection that will help in designing culturally responsive educational experiences.