West Virginia State University College of Professional Studies Department of Education Professional Development (PD) Reflection Outline Name:

Mark Cutlip Major Content Area: Social Studies/History PD Date: October 10, 2013 Circle one: FR SOPH JR SR PD Units: 60 minutes

PD Topic/Title: Cultural & Linguistic Diversity

Please respond to the following prompts: 1. Summarize the key points you learned from this Professional Development experience.

During the Cultural & Linguistic Diversity Webinar, I was introduced to the five components of culturally and linguistically responsive instruction for exceptional learners. They included: IEP considerations, supporting language development, cultural considerations, meaningful participation of families, and coordination of programs and services. This webinar offered the needed guidelines for selecting culturally responsive instructional materials, and creating a positive learning environment for culturally and linguistically diverse exceptional learners.

2. Discuss how these key points connect to your content area. Teachers must have the understanding and knowledge of culturally and linguistically instruction for exceptional learners because our society was built on immigration. There is a strong history of multicultural families living in the United States. Our American society is created by diverse cultures that cover the whole nation form the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. As a history teacher; I will have to manage and teach students of cultural diversity because it is a part of who we are as Americans. Students, who have different cultural backgrounds, will carry with them their own beliefs. Some students may struggle with the learning strategies and/or curriculum offered in the classroom. Teachers in all content areas will benefit with the knowledge and understanding of the five components of responsive instruction mentioned in this Webinar.

3. Share how you might use this new information in your future classroom. I will be better prepared by understanding and knowing how to utilize. Instructional practices in responding to multicultural and different linguistic individuals in the education system. I will be able identify and use the components of instruction for exceptional learners (IEP considerations, supporting language development, cultural considerations, meaningful participation of families, and coordination of programs and services). I will ensure services are appropriate for exceptional learners and families from diverse communities and I will be able to select materials and teaching approaches that are appropriate for use in diverse settings like my classroom.

Note: Make sure you upload this document to your professional portfolio along with your scanned PD letter and/or PD certificate.