2.j.

The candidate for certification understands culturally responsive

methods.
What: classroom pictures of guest speaker, ESOL standards
Who: Teacher Candidate
When: 2014-2015 School Year
Significant Details: These artifacts showcase my understanding of culturally
responsive methods in the classroom.

Analysis: Research shows that our cultural backgrounds influence the ways
we process information. It is important to explore these findings and adapt
our methods and teaching to ensure that we are being culturally sensitive to
all students. Culture is central to learning. It effects our communication, as
well as our thinking process. It is important to not only acknowledge various
cultures within our classroom, but to respond to them and to celebrate them.
We want every student in our classroom to have access to equity in
education.
There are some common characteristics that can be seen in culturally
responsive classrooms. They include: communication of high expectations,
positive perspectives on families, student-centered instruction, and learning
within the context of culture. Culturally responsive classrooms use a wide
variety of instructional strategies and build bridges between home and
school. These classrooms showcase multicultural information and
incorporate vast resources and information. Teachers that are culturally
sensitive teach to the strengths of the students. They use cultural
knowledge, prior experiences, and performance to help shape their teaching.
Culturally responsive teaching involves curriculum, content, relationships,
communication, learning context, techniques, atmosphere, and assessments.
All of these must be shaped to meet the needs of students from various
cultures. Reflection is an important tool to the teacher as she makes
necessary changes to meet student needs. Teachers that engage in this
type of instruction enable students to be successful and empower them to
persevere.

Planning: This is an area that I definitely need to research and explore. The
last two years, most of my students come from similar backgrounds and
cultures. I need to be more informed and know where to find resources, in
the event that I need to make changes. I would like to continue global and
cultural studies in my classroom. I believe that this type of exposure helps
students to feel connected, as well as prepares them to be sensitive to

others. This also taps into our peace education, as we are teaching children
to be considerate in the classroom.