Presented by: Michael Feris

Introducing

Culture and Curriculum

What does Culture and Curriculum mean to you

What does Culture and Curriculum mean to you

Student Culture
and
Staff Culture

Diversity of
Students in the
Classroom

A culturally competent teacher knows theres no point in mak

Student and Staff

Culture

It is important to discuss cultural differences in the class. ~ Gail Smith

KIPP Austin Staff Culture

Teachers believe
they
have more to
learn!
Teachable Teachers

All students can learn!

The teacher is
responsible for every
students learning

Student Diversity

There is more expertise distributed in the classroom than there is within any one
person
~ Ladsen-Billings

Name 3 cultural differences?

How Are We Different?

Gender
Geography
Economics

Religion

alsoAge, Interests, Education Level, Race (obviously)

your own attitudes are influenced by your own culture.

~ Julia G. Thompson

How Are We Different?

Economic
s

Gloria J. Ladson-Billings is a
pedagogical theorist and
educator of teachers.
Ladson-Billings is known for
her work in the fields of
Culturally Relevant
Pedagogy and Critical Race
Theory.
Important Texts:
The Dreamkeepers: Successful Teachers of AfricanAmerican Children
Presidential Address:
"From the Achievement Gap to the Education
Debt: Understanding Achievement in U.S.
Schools"

Notable Names

Bio continued

Educated in Philadelphia
Public Schools
Faculty at the University
of Wisconsin-Madison
School of Education
President of American
Educational Research
Association (AERA)

Gloria Laden-Billings

Culturally Responsive
Teaching

by Julia G.
Thompson

We are culturally
diverse!

Every person belongs to a

variety

of culture
groups.

One of the most

enduring strengths of
the public school system
in America is the variety
of cultures that meet
peacefully in thousands
of classrooms each day.
~ Julia G. Thompson

How can we be more culturally aware?

Read as much as you
can!!
Search the internet
Talk to other teachers
and administrators.

Expose your students to a wide

variety of cultures throughout
the year
Marking birthplaces on a map
Create a world wall of common
words (ie. thank you or please)
Post photos from their cultures
on a bulletin board or web page

Resources that can help!

Skype in the Classroom

Global Read Aloud
ePals
GLOBE The Global Learning and
Observation to Benefit the
Environment (GLOBE)
International Education and
Resource Network
The Center for Innovation in
Science and Engineering
Teaching Tolerance

More questions

What about
the

cultural sensitivity

in

classroom? How do we NOT offend?

Ask other teachers

Search the internet
Read as much as
you can
You have to study the student.
Gloria Ladsen-Billings

What about
Students with different cultural backgrounds
as their teachers. Do they have a
disadvantage?
If teachers do not purpose to know their students relationally
and culturallyyes.

Be Relational

are you
a Culturally
Competent
Teacher?