Transcript Building Equitable Classrooms Presentation2

Building Equitable
Classrooms
Bridging the Gap through Cultural Competency
&
Equitable School Cultures
Created and Presented by
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Laurie Brown-Abdelmageed, PhD
Vice Principal, Charles County
Michelle Foxx, M Ed.
Instructional Specialist, Charles County
Objectives
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Define the impact of cultural competency.
Explain how cultural competency, economics
and social class play a critical role in student
achievement.
Examine ways to address individual teacher
needs to bridge the gaps toward student
achievement
Key Terms
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Cultural Competence
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Hidden Rules
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Generational versus Situational Poverty
Equitable Education (Not Equal)
Cultural Competence
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Refers to an ability to interact effectively with people of
different cultures.
Cultural competence comprises four components:
(a) Awareness of one's own cultural worldview,
(b) Attitude towards cultural differences,
(c) Knowledge of different cultural practices and
worldviews
(d) Cross-cultural skills.
Developing cultural competence results in an ability to
understand, communicate with, and effectively interact
with people across cultures.[1] n(Wikipedia)
Collegial Conversation
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Are you aware of your own cultural
worldviews? What are your students’
cultural worldview?
What are your attitudes toward cultural
differences?
What is your knowledge of different
cultural practices and worldviews?
What cross-cultural skills do you have?
Components of
Cultural Competency
Culture of
your
staff
Cultural
Competency
Culture of your
School
Culture of your
students
Objective

Explain how cultural competency,
economics and social class play a critical
role in student achievement.
Hidden Rules
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Hidden rules are defined as the unspoken
habits and clues that individuals use to
indicate membership in a group.
All hidden rules influence behavior. One of
the strongest influences is that of
economic class.
Three levels of economic class:
Poverty
Middle class
Wealth
Hidden Rules
Poverty
Decisions are
based on
survival,
relationships
and
entertainment
 Possessions
are people
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Middle Class
Wealth
Decisions
 Decisions
based on career based on social,
and
financial and
achievement
political
connections
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Possessions
are things
Possessions
are pedigree
and legacy
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Hidden Rules
Poverty
The world is
local.
Food
Middle Class
Wealth
The world is
The world is
national.
international.
is valued Food is valued
for its quantity. for its quality.
Food
is valued
for its
presentation.
“No significant
learning occurs
without a significant
relationship.”
Dr. James P. Comer
“Few understand the courage it takes for
a child to return to a place where he
failed yesterday, the day before and in
all probability will fail again the next.”
Author unknown
So What?
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The greater challenge is to address the
needs of all students. Equity, though it
may not be equal, it always fair. It
provides equal access to students at their
point of need.
Objective

Examine ways to address individual
teacher needs to bridge the gaps toward
student achievement
How Do We Make It All Work
CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD TEACHING
Students are:
 Involved with issues they regard as vital
concerns
 Students understand and accept human
differences
 Students are being helped to see major
concepts, big ideas, and general principals
Characteristics of Good Teaching
(Cont.)
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Students are involved with planning what
they will be doing
Students are involved with applying ideals
such as fairness, equity, or justice
Students are actively involved
Students are directly involved in real-life
experience
Students are asked to think (Yes, they
can)
Characteristics of Good Teaching
(Cont.)
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Students are involved in redoing,
polishing, or perfecting their work
Students have access with the technology
of information
Students are involved in reflecting on their
own lives and how they have come to
believe and feel
(Adapted from Haberman, 1991)
Questions & Answers
This is a time for us to reflect on what we
have discussed and continue our collegial
conversations.
Questions?????
IT ONLY TAKES ONE TO MAKE A
DIFFERENCE!
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The movie, Freedom Writers, gives us a
look at what just one teacher can do to
make a difference. Are you ready???
Contact Information
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Dr. Laurie Brown-Abdelmageed, Ph. D.
[email protected]
Michelle Foxx, M. Ed.
[email protected]