Culturally Responsive Learning Environment

Multiculturalism in education is empowering our children to be really prepared and to participate in our diverse democracy (Holladay,

Due to the fact that the curriculum, instruction, assessment, school funding, and desegregation aren’t made for ALL students to succeed we as educators must use what we know about our students, education, and history to inform our teaching. It is important to use the experiences and culture of our students (getting to know them) to make our instruction more relatable. In classrooms students shouldn’t feel like their stories aren’t heard. Educators must construct a positive classroom environment so that students will feel comfortable being themselves and taking risks with their language (ELL) which includes ALL students not just one population. This might mean making changes or adding to the existing curriculum.

Title : The Switch of Speech Style Used by Erin Gruwell in Freedom Writers Movie 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background of the Study Language is more than just a tool for communication that helps the speaker to deliver the information to the listener, but rather as an important key feature on leading people (Baxter, 2010). In the education context, teachers are considered as leaders who “place their students’ learning as their primary goal and work within their own classrooms to improve student achievement” (Merideth, 2007, p. 3). As a leader in the language classroom, the teacher’s language product holds a very important role in the achievement of the students (Diaz, Lynne T. and Rico, 2004, p. 293). Language product used by the teacher is influenced

These educators have the task of taking children from all different backgrounds and molding them into a functioning members of society. Some of the roles that an educator must take on are being an “instructional leader” and an intentional teacher (pg. 26). These mean that educators are taking their role as an educator and creating it into someone who puts their passion into every aspect of the role. Being an “instructional leader” encompasses the main aspects of what is expected as a teacher, such as creating lesson plans and check on a student’s progress, but the main goal is to do so with intention. This means while it might be easier to teach from a book and save time by using another teacher’s lesson plans, the educator puts more effort into creating a lesson plan tailored to the strengths of his or her students.

These principles guide teachers to teach students about their culture to encourage them to embrace and maintain their “cultural integrity” (Coffey, 2008). Cultural integrity is important to instill in children of color because it allows them to see the value and pride in their culture. Lastly, students should be

A celebration of diversity recognizes different behavioral expectations, different ways of defining success, different patterns of socialization and different ways that parents are involved in the education of their children (Stanton-Salazar. 2001; Valdes. 1996). A celebration of diversity means that teachers will accept different types of behavior in a classroom and will not make assumptions about students’ abilities without thoroughly knowing each student’s cultural background and experiences. It also means teachers will get to know their students’ home and community cultures and appreciate diverse ways of teaching and learning that might be found in their students’ culture. (Romo, H.

The second standard in the InTASC standards is Learning Differences. It is stated as follows: “The teacher uses understanding of individual differences and diverse cultures and communities to ensure inclusive learning environments that enable each learner to meet high standards.” In this rationale, I will explain why it is important to know and understand this standard and how it can help me be a better teacher. I understand that all students are different. I will learn everything I can about my future students, so I can know how to teach for them.

As an educator we should know and understand our own culture identity which is the first step to become a culturally competent practitioner. From that we will get to know how our cultural experience has moulded our own life which made us capable to acknowledge how these features impact on others. A culturally competent educator can communicate delicately and effectively with people who have different languages, cultures, religions, genders, ethnicities, disabilities, ages and sexualities and this educator will attempt to provide services which are consistent to the needs and values of the families and children by acknowledging them, and responding to them correctly. An Educator need to improve skills, knowledge, attitudes, perceptions and practices

In this juncture, the researcher gives three significant advantages which are it can boost the children’s personality, be more responsible as a student and as an individual and mainly develop children in academics and relationships in school. Understand and develop potency and capability as we help families in their job to cultivate children (National Association for the Education of Young Children (1998). Therefore, there is an importance task that families need to accomplish. Meaning the task for parents at hand must be well understood and executed .

Teacher to shows example that learners can emulates. It helps to identifying opportunities within teaching learners to work collaboratively in diverse groups, by sharing individual ways of life or beliefs by embracing different cultural festivals or food preparation. It also helps to devise creative and respectful ways of using the diverse experiences of students to add value to the learning experience for all learners and addressing difficulties that hinder language learning and skills development. (Petty L, 2014) D: Analyse the ways to promote equality and value diversity.

Becoming part of students community, I will be able to find what type of books student will be able to relate to based on their culture and

2. What supports do you need from me to be a more effective educator in your classroom? We need support with regards to the policy and procedures that are implemented at our site with regards to Special Education law, the Child & Welfare Institution Codes, Penal Codes, and Education Code. We need to be sure that other site are accountable to the ethical practices that we are trying to encourage in our student’s. We need you to be our motivator and inspiration in recognizing the positive things our staff is doing more often.

Also the practitioner would need to work in partnership with the parents at all times because the parents are the most important people in the child’s life and the parents of the children know their child better than you do. Also in a setting I attended before the practitioner and the mother of a chid liaised in order to put a sticker chart with rewards to help improve the child’s behaviour. The idea of the sticker chart came from B.F. Skinners theory which was positive and negative reinforcement: if children were rewarded for good behaviour then the behaviour is likely to continue. (Bruce T, Meggitt C, 2007). Communication would also be essential while planning for the children because if the child is involved with any other professional then the educational and milestone developments must be communicated between multi-agencies to ensure that everyone is aware of the stage the child is at in his/her learning.

In today’s education world, children are coming to our schools with different family, racial, ethnic, and religious upbringings; therefore, as an educational leader I will have to demonstrate an appreciation to all the diversity within our school community. I will have to plan and develop policies and procedures that support our diverse family. As a leader, I will have to research the different cultures that will exist within my school in order to treat everyone fairly, equitably, and with dignity and respect. According to ISLCC standard 6 the administrator should ensure the environment in which schools operate is influenced on behalf of students and their families.

My Behavior Management philosophy is to educate our children to be kind, caring, and respectful members in our society by teaching self-discipline, responsibility, cooperation, and problem-solving skills. To assist my students in reaching this goal, I will maintain a child-friendly and encouraging classroom environment, in order to make my students feel safe and promote an environment for learning. To teach my students how to be kind, caring, and respectful I will demonstrate these skills as their teacher; in addition, I will teach them ways to respect themselves and one another. As a class, we will collaborate together to create our classroom rules and consequences.