Culturally Responsive Learning Environment

Culturally Responsive Learning Environment A culturally responsive learning environment is an environment in which teachers strive for equality and fairness in schools. It is an environment where minorities feel safe, understood, and accepted. More than that, being culturally responsive means celebrating the diversity of all cultures. Understanding what culture is and how culture dictates peoples’ actions is the first step in learning how to create a culturally responsive learning environment.
Understanding Culture As a person grows up, they are surrounded and engulfed with their culture. Among other things, the way they behave, the way they dress, the importance of school, and the family dynamic is all taught by the community around them

Teachers can learn about different cultures through many resources, but the most useful way to learn about students’ cultures is to look to the community. Students, parents, and community leaders are all useful sources for information about a student’s home culture. Information that is important for creating a culturally responsive learning environment include values, attitudes, and habits. Once a teacher has familiarized themselves with their students’ cultures, there are several strategies that can be used to create a responsive learning environment.
Self-Assessment
According to Anderson & Madigan (2005), the first strategy or step that should be taken in creating a culturally responsive learning environment is teacher self-assessment. A teacher needs to assess their personal culture to learn how their own values and lifestyles may create biases towards other cultures. Once a teacher has familiarized themselves with their own prejudices, they can work on ways to embrace different cultures and create a learning environment that encourages success for diverse students.
Classroom

Parents are the most important contributors to students’ education outside of school. Parental involvement in the school and the classroom should be encouraged whenever possible. It is also important for teachers to collaborate with other professionals that contribute to the overall education of their students. One way to encourage parental involvement is to invite parents to participate in classroom cultural celebrations or to assist in the planning of such events. This is a great way for parents to see how their children are acclimating, both academically and