Culturally Responsive Instruction

Hey there, fellow Sunday Morning Coffee-ites! Another week passed and another fabulous one is on the horizon. Life is good, isn’t it? I’m here in the Mid Atlantic, per usual, but in Texas, my childhood buddies are celebrating our 43rd anniversary of graduating from high school. 43 years is quite a few weeks gone by, huh? :) Our school was pretty small (understatement), so we have a reunion every year and everyone who ever went to school there joins, as well as parents, teachers, and folks from neighboring towns. My high school had about 50 kids, and my graduating class was a whopping 11 kids. All country kids. Our school was in the middle of cotton fields with a few houses around it that teachers lived in. My dad was the superintendent and my mom was the librarian, so we lived in one of those houses. Our out of school time was shooting baskets in the gym, playing tennis on the two tennis courts, or driving 45 minutes to the nearest “big” town (population 1,000) to ride around the main drag, with an occasional break at the Sonic or the car wash parking lot to catch up with kids from all the neighboring tiny towns. It was a very innocent way to grow up, and I’m thankful for it. One thing it was not was culturally diverse. Our school (total 250 kids from K-12) was 50% white and 50% hispanic, and 100% of our Latinx friends were Mexican American. It wasn’t really until I got to DC that I found myself immersed in a culturally-rich environment. In the DC jail, for instance, I gathered all of the Spanish speakers and housed them in our education unit because I couldn’t imagine being incarcerated, isolated in a place where no one even speaks your language. But I loved that even in that small population, those students were from a variety of countries…Venezuela, El Salvador, Columbia, Cuba, and the list goes on. Other students were from Russia, Africa, the Czech Republic, and that list goes on.

For teachers in correctional settings, understanding and respecting the diverse cultural backgrounds of our incarcerated students is an imperative. Embracing cultural diversity and practicing culturally responsive pedagogy can transform our classrooms (even if they're inside four walls and bound by a lot of security). Let’s face it—our classrooms in correctional facilities are a microcosm of the outside world, filled with students from a myriad of cultural backgrounds. From different ethnicities and languages to unique traditions and life experiences, each student brings a rich tapestry of diversity to the table (or, more likely, the bolted-down desk).

Understanding and respecting this diversity isn’t just about ticking off boxes on a checklist. It’s about recognizing the unique challenges and strengths that each student brings. It’s also about creating a learning environment where everyone feels valued and understood and an inviting space where students who may be oceans away from their loved ones have a place to feel safe and to experience growth.

Why Culturally Responsive Teaching Matters

Culturally responsive teaching is like the secret sauce in a recipe for success. It’s about tailoring your teaching methods to the cultural context of your students. This approach not only makes learning more relevant but also helps in building a deeper connection with your students. And trust me, when students feel seen and heard, they're more likely to engage, participate, and succeed.

But how do we do that? Start by getting to know your students. No, I don't mean just their names and their charges. I mean really getting to know them—what languages they speak, their cultural traditions, their religious beliefs, and their personal stories. This isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s essential for creating lesson plans that resonate with them. For instance, if you're teaching literature, why not include works from authors who reflect your students’ diverse backgrounds? Or, if you're diving into history, consider highlighting contributions from various cultures that your students can relate to. I understand that correctional policies discourage the building of relational capacity with “inmates,” but I also know (and hope you do to) that positive relationships are the first step to building trust with students so that we maximize their capacity to learn. These two are not mutually exclusive. You can absolutely build positive relationships with students without breaching security or being inappropriate. Is that any different from teaching in a public classroom? So, get to know your students.

Breaking Down Barriers with Kindness and Respect

One of the best ways to break down barriers with students is to be kind. Boom. Mic drop. Just like that. Especially in a correctional setting, people tend to gravitate to others who look like them, share their background, speak their language….and if you’re ‘not from around here’, it can be a lonely and scary place. Make your classroom one place where students know that boundaries will be respected, everyone will be safe from physical harm and verbal abuse, and that the person in charge of the room (that’s you) will be firm, fair, consistent, and most of all…kind.

Respect is always non-negotiable. It’s about acknowledging and valuing each student's culture without judgment. Not only do we encounter a rainbow of color and a symphony of languages in our classrooms, we also meet folks with varying religious and political beliefs. Remember, it's not about agreeing with everything but about understanding and respecting different perspectives.

Consider the simple act of greeting. In some cultures, a handshake is customary, while in others, a bow or even a verbal greeting is preferred. Being aware of these nuances shows your students that you respect their customs and are willing to meet them halfway. If you don’t know what their customs for showing respect are, ask!

The Ripple Effect of Culturally Responsive Teaching

The impact of culturally responsive teaching goes beyond the classroom. It helps in building a sense of community and belonging among students, which is crucial for their personal growth and reintegration into society. When students feel respected and understood, they’re more likely to respect others, both inside and outside the facility. This can lead to reduced tensions, better behavior, and, ultimately, a safer environment for everyone, but the most impactful result is that students find healthy ways to cope with their current situation and plan for a better post-release life for themselves. Culturally responsive teaching equips students with the tools they need to navigate a diverse world. By learning about different cultures and perspectives, students can develop empathy and understanding, which are invaluable skills for their future.

So, fellow educators, let's embrace the beautiful diversity of our incarcerated students and harness the power of culturally responsive teaching. By doing so, we’re not just teaching subjects; we’re fostering understanding, respect, and a sense of belonging. And who knows? We might even learn a thing or two ourselves. After all, education is a two-way street, and the more we open ourselves up to our students' experiences, the richer our own teaching journey becomes. So, go ahead, spice up your lessons with a dash of cultural awareness, a sprinkle of humor, and huge doses of kindness and respect—you might just cook up a recipe for success!

If you have strategies that work for you in building a culturally responsive classroom, I’d love to hear them! Drop me a line here.

Adios, mi amigas y amigos. Espero que tu semana sea maravillosa!