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Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression: Culturally Responsive Pedagogy

Culturally Responsive Teaching

While most discussions around culturally responsive teaching (CRT) come out of the K-12 environment, the premise is highly relevant to college educators committed to providing equitable educational outcomes for all students.

From Geneva Gay, "Preparing for Culturally Responsive Teaching" (2002):

Culturally responsive teaching is defined as using the cultural characteristics, experiences, and perspectives of ethnically diverse students as conduits for teaching them more effectively. It is based on the assumption that when academic knowledge and skills are situated within the lived experiences and frames of reference of students, they are more personally meaningful, have higher interest appeal, and are learned more easily and thoroughly.

Gay goes on to identify five essential elements of culturally responsive teaching. A culturally responsive educator must:

  1. Develop a knowledge base about cultural diversity,
  2. Include ethnic and cultural diversity content in the curriculum,
  3. Demonstrate caring and build learning communities
  4. Communicate with ethnically diverse students, and
  5. Respond to ethnic diversity in the delivery of instruction

Gay, Geneva. "Preparing for culturally responsive teaching." Journal of teacher education 53, no. 2 (2002): 106-116.

Learn More

Colbert, Paul J. "Developing a culturally responsive classroom collaborative of faculty, students, and institution." Journal of College Teaching and Learning 7, no .11 (2010): 15-24.

Gale, Lesley Diane. "Connecting, Reflecting, and Willing to Change: An Examination of Culturally Responsive Teaching Professional Development in a Community College." Order No. 3685211, University of California, Davis, 2014. https://cod.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://search-proquest-com.cod.idm.oclc.org/docview/1665572128?accountid=10202.

Larke, Patricia. "Culturally responsive teaching in higher education: What professors need to know." Counterpoints 391 (2013): 38-50.

Lucey, Thomas A., and Elizabeth S. White. "Mentorship in Higher Education: Compassionate Approaches Supporting Culturally Responsive Pedagogy." Multicultural Education 24, no. 2 (2017): 11-17.

Nomikoudis, Milton, and Matthew Starr. "Cultural humility in education and work: A valuable approach for teachers, learners and professionals." In Universities, the Citizen Scholar and the Future of Higher Education, pp. 69-84. Palgrave Macmillan, London, 2016.

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  • Last Updated: Nov 11, 2021 11:48 AM
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