Culturally Responsive Teaching Paper
According to Piaget, “Instructors teach their subjects, but teachers
understand how children learn,” (Kunjufu, J. 2005). Culture is central
to student learning, thus teachers who practice culturally responsive
teaching, provide greater opportunity for academic success of their
students (brown.edu, 2008). Culturally responsive teaching
empowers student to self-actualize individually, intellectually, socially,
and emotionally, by using relevant material and content that
enhances knowledge, learning, behaviors, attitudes, skills, and
uniqueness (brown.edu, 2008).
Culture is significantly vital to learning as well as teaching. Culture
shapes our thoughts, actions, behaviors, and ways of interacting in
society-the society within and outside of the classroom. When
teachers take interest in student’s individual selves and genuinely
make effort to acknowledge, respect, incorporate, and nourish
relationships with the children they teach, it is then that true educating
is occurring. Recognition that all students have a “story,” a way of