"Taking the Culturally Responsive Education in the Classroom course has been incredibly eye-opening and useful, even for a veteran teacher like me. The course emphasized the importance of recognizing and valuing students' diverse backgrounds, using their cultural references in lessons, and challenging any biases and stereotypes that might exist in the classroom. Throughout the course, I picked up new words and phrases related to these topics. Terms like "culturally responsive teaching," "implicit bias," "equity," and "inclusive teaching" are now part of my everyday vocabulary. Understanding these terms helps me communicate more effectively about creating a welcoming and supportive classroom environment."
-- J.W. from Michigan
"Moving forward, I plan to use these ideas in my daily teaching. I want to keep thinking about how I can make my classroom more inclusive and supportive for all students. This might mean adjusting my teaching to meet the needs of different students, being aware of any biases I might have, and making sure every student feels welcome and valued. I’ve learned that creating an equitable classroom takes work and effort, but it’s worth it because it gives all students the best chance to succeed."
-- J.G. from Michigan
"I am so excited to get to know my new group of students this year so that I can put some of these new strategies to use. The framework provided in this course will allow me to be a more flexible and responsive teacher in planning, teaching, and assessing academic targets and creating a rigorous educational environment for my students."
-- A.P. from California
"This course has helped me develop a deeper understanding of how to implement equity and responsiveness in my teaching. I now recognize the importance of meeting individual needs, building relationships, and leveraging students’ cultural assets to create a learning environment where all students can thrive. As I move forward, I am committed to continually reflecting on and adjusting my practices to ensure that my classroom is a place where every student feels valued, supported, and capable of success."
-- M.L. from California
"This course was truly an eye opening one. I began this course having spent time during the last year and a half trying to understand more how to be a culturally responsive educator. I knew going into this course that I need to continue learning, but after this course I have really come to understand that this is a job that will never end. I will always need to be seeking new knowledge, growing, and learning about not only how to be culturally responsive, but also how to reach each individual student that comes into my classroom each year. I am feeling excited and have a new passion ignited for my career."
-- A.J. from California
"I am excited to move forward in preparing to design and deliver instruction using the CRE mental model during the next academic school year. These reflections have made me look inward and honestly inspect my delivery methods, and identify any exclusivities within my lessons. It is my goal to promote a classroom with a positive learning environment where inclusive learning is at the forefront."
-- J.P. from Oregon