Overview of Culturally Responsive Practices

1. Introduction

Before diving into the meaningful work of Equitable Instruction and Culturally Responsive Practices, you may find it helpful to establish some foundational understandings and/or expand your current understandings. This section has been created to do just that. Implicit Bias,  Growth Mindset, and Universal Design for Learning are three frameworks that are critically important as it relates to this work. The Culture Tree is a wonderful visual tools to understand the way that culture impacts how we engage with the world around us. 

You might be wondering how providing equitable access to learning as well as including culturally responsive practices is relevant to your health education class or unit. Think of yourself as a coach of a sports team for a moment. Would you want to understand your players' experience with the game, what strengthens they bring to the team, as well as area they need to grow as athletes? Is it likely that you would then craft your practice time and support of individual players with that information in hand so that you can make sure the team can be as successful as possible? Absolutely! Equitable Instruction and Culturally Responsive Practices is no different.