Introduction:
As the United States of America becomes more culturally diverse in its population, the need to address that diversity within our schools is rapidly increasing. This increase in diversity is creating a challenge for educators across the nation because our nation’s teaching force remains predominately white (Caucasian)and English speaking in make-up and the number of culturally diverse teachers is in a state of decline (Gay, 2003). Educators must accept the fact that students who enter their schools/classrooms bring with them major differences concerning their cultural and ethnic background. While the original research was mainly focused on differences in culture regarding race, researchers are now paying closer attention to …show more content…
Ladson-Billings writes that culturally relevant teaching is much more in depth than just adapting school culture to the culture of the students. In reality, it can also be used to help the students understand their own culture and to help them interpret and conceptualize knowledge (Ladson-Billings, 1992). For this to work and be effective, minority cultures must be acknowledged as a vital strength and asset instead of just adapting the white Caucasian to fit the needs of all minorities (Ladson-Billings, 1992). Teachers must also recognize that culturally relevant teaching addresses the needs of minorities as a whole instead of individual empowerment (Ladson-Billings, …show more content…
Teachers should strive to guarantee that their students are not being forced to express themselves based on the views and norms of the cultural majority. Rather the students should be made to feel comfortable learning based on their own cultural norms and experiences. To foster this, educators ought to convey an attitude of value and importance regarding their students’ customs, knowledge, and
As the United States of America becomes more culturally diverse in its population, the need to address that diversity within our schools is rapidly increasing. This increase in diversity is creating a challenge for educators across the nation because our nation’s teaching force remains predominately white (Caucasian)and English speaking in make-up and the number of culturally diverse teachers is in a state of decline (Gay, 2003). Educators must accept the fact that students who enter their schools/classrooms bring with them major differences concerning their cultural and ethnic background. While the original research was mainly focused on differences in culture regarding race, researchers are now paying closer attention to …show more content…
Ladson-Billings writes that culturally relevant teaching is much more in depth than just adapting school culture to the culture of the students. In reality, it can also be used to help the students understand their own culture and to help them interpret and conceptualize knowledge (Ladson-Billings, 1992). For this to work and be effective, minority cultures must be acknowledged as a vital strength and asset instead of just adapting the white Caucasian to fit the needs of all minorities (Ladson-Billings, 1992). Teachers must also recognize that culturally relevant teaching addresses the needs of minorities as a whole instead of individual empowerment (Ladson-Billings, …show more content…
Teachers should strive to guarantee that their students are not being forced to express themselves based on the views and norms of the cultural majority. Rather the students should be made to feel comfortable learning based on their own cultural norms and experiences. To foster this, educators ought to convey an attitude of value and importance regarding their students’ customs, knowledge, and