# data[].attributes.headline
Cultural competence is more than just accepting or respecting diverse cultures. It results when we have a genuine desire to celebrate differences. When we welcome and appreciate the unique contributions of all people. Cultural competence is when we encourage and honor the voices of all groups of people because in doing so we recognize that we all benefit from a wide range and comprehensive mix of perspectives. 

# data[].attributes.subject
Cultural competence is more than just accepting or respecting diverse cultures. It results when we have a genuine desire to celebrate differences. When we welcome and appreciate the unique contributions of all people. Cultural competence is when we encourage and honor the voices of all groups of people because in doing so we recognize that we all benefit from a wide range and comprehensive mix of perspectives. 

# data[].attributes.body
I was not able to view the video. The link may be broken. However, the articles provided some research on what students have shared about their experiences and offers insight into what practices would improve the environments for them at institutions of learning. As a woman of color, and a reflective teacher - having worked with students and instructors of from many cultures during the course of my career, I understand the importance of cultural competence and being a culturally reflective learning facilitator. For me, it comes down to some simple truths. Students don't learn from people they don't trust. So developing a sense of trust is critical to everything we do as teachers.

# data[].attributes.headline
Cultural Competence to me doesn't necessarily mean understanding others cultures, but that it is important to understand how to learn about others' culture when teaching to ensure a student centered learning approach and meet the needs of each student.   As an educator it is our responsibility to be sensitive to others and work to understand how our culture interacts with others in a way that education impacts their learning.  I think many classes begin by introducing each other and what our goals are, however, i think knowing each other's background can be beneficial by showing our diversity can bring us together.  as an educator, it helps to know so we can be mindful of how we can be inclusive of everyone.  

# data[].attributes.subject
Cultural Competence to me doesn't necessarily mean understanding others cultures, but that it is important to understand how to learn about others' culture when teaching to ensure a student centered learning approach and meet the needs of each student.   As an educator it is our responsibility to be sensitive to others and work to understand how our culture interacts with others in a way that education impacts their learning.  I think many classes begin by introducing each other and what our goals are, however, i think knowing each other's background can be beneficial by showing our diversity can bring us together.  as an educator, it helps to know so we can be mindful of how we can be inclusive of everyone.  

# data[].attributes.body
One of the most important things that educators need to understand and work on is our own biases, prejudices, and try to see/perceive ourselves from the outside, from the student's perspective. I have a hard time sometimes with this even when I teach it. In my literature class, I do an activity where we are practicing active reading skills and annotations. We go over the handout on passive vs. active reading, do some board work based on the content of the handout, and then do a group activity. I choose specific songs that are very inclusive, yet can be seen as stereotypical (but in a couple of cases, hat is the point). In groups, they annotate, discuss, and report back their interpretations. I explain how literature is this beautiful and wonderful way for anyone to learn about so many different people. But how do my students view this activity? Do each of them feel seen? The videos portray a scamming blind man, three young Black men, a woman who talks to herself, a Veteran, an interracial couple (?), the most dangerous characters in comics, everyday people, etc.

When I was looking at colleges as I was working on my AA at a community college, I looked at the vast discrepancy in demographics for many colleges that were located in rural areas, such as Northern Illinois University. I was very wary of moving to a college, that even if I really liked it, I had to think about the diversity, or lack thereof. I chose commuter colleges, but I was also thinking about those students of color who made the decision to live in the middle of nowhere with a small number of people that looked like them. I did go to a rural school, very briefly, and the discrepancy between classes/races was astonishing. Those who were POC but didn't attend the college lived in a very discernable area where the roads were not paved as well, all of the social service offices were located there, the Headstart school was there. It was so very segregated.

# data[].attributes.body
As a person of color, the son of immigrants, a first generation American, and someone who has lived abroad, Cultural Competence is very important to me. To me, it means a willingness to being open to cultures, customs, learning styles, etc. from all parts of the world, and a commitment to adapting ones' teaching style and classroom management to be accepting of and inclusive of all students from all backgrounds. Moreover, it is not limiting the scope of diversity and inclusion to only one thing, such as race, but recognizing the many factors that make up diversity as discussed at the beginning of the module (age, socioeconomic status, etc.). The video Why Teacher Diversity Matter, in particular, resonated with me and further impacted the way I view diversity. It highlights the unique circumstances students of color face in academia and the importance of having educators that understand their needs and/or have experienced them themselves. Working at a Hispanic serving institution like Valencia College, this is particularly important to me.

# data[].attributes.headline
What does cultural competence mean to you? How have the resources in this module impacted the ways that you think about diversity and inclusion related to your teaching? 

# data[].attributes.subject
What does cultural competence mean to you? How have the resources in this module impacted the ways that you think about diversity and inclusion related to your teaching? 

# data[].attributes.body
Cultural competence to me is understanding not only your own culture (and believe it or not some do not) but the culture of other people not immersed in your's. As it relates to education. understanding the culture of my students is the foundation of building an effective learning environment. It is what drives my curriculum and shapes my choices of literature and writing prompts. It must reflect the experiences and norms of who my students are and the lives they live, otherwise they have no reason to buy in to what I have to offer them academically. I know that I attain better outcomes academically when my students see a learning environments that reflect them.  This means that I had to acknowledge and accept my own biases and stereotypical ideas and hurdle past them.

The resources in this Module have impacted the ways I think about diversity and inclusion in that I now include categories I previously had not thought needed to be included. I always thought about diversity and inclusion to only mean race and gender. I now know that I need to also include many more aspects of society. I am appreciative of this Module because it opened my eyes to my ignorance of people who need to be included and what true diversity looks like both in the classroom and in society. I know this will make me an even better educator. ~Natalie J. Ford

# data[].attributes.body
Cultural Competence for me is taking into consideration where the student was before they arrived at your classroom to ensure that you are making appropriate allowances for different students. It was something that I battled at with my former job as I thought that we should include the students who needed to work while at school while my fellow professors were confused as to why this should be a consideration. I knew that students who had families of lower means needed to work while in school and as long as they could find the balance, there should be no reason why we shouldn't include them, my fellow professors objected. In addition, something else that I've found that I've had to consider is the education culture where I teach. Something as simple as an fill in the blank question causes issues with Florida students out of high school while I haven't had this issue with Indiana/ Illinois students.

# data[].attributes.body
In the nutrition world, cultural competence is so important.  Too often, the nutrition education materials and recommendations are based on a generic, traditionally white, American diet. This creates a horrible disadvantage to those patients who leave the hospital or doctor’s office with no idea how to incorporate their cultural foods into these recommendations.

As far as my teaching, I like all the questions that were presented in the diversity awareness in higher education study.  I plan to use these questions as I conduct my courses to ensure I am being inclusive in my teaching. Of course, it is important to note that the study itself was not diverse as 79.5% of the participants were white, non-Hispanic .

# data[].attributes.body
What does cultural competence mean to you?
How have the resources in this module impacted the ways that you think about diversity and inclusion related to your teaching?
**************************
My entire career has been focused on international education that includes teaching across cultures, language teaching, study abroad, etc. so none of this information is new to me. I'm always trying to learn ways in which I can make my course syllabus and classroom instruction (F2F and online) more appropriate for a diverse group of students. It takes a good deal of intentionality and it helps when we share ideas with one another, see examples, and read resources that help expand our pedagogical knowledge base.

# data[].attributes.body
Research has found that girls are building their self-efficacy to like science , take up STEM careers.

# data[].attributes.body
It is important to be aware but also be very understanding that everyone comes from a different background. Being culturally aware promotes and fosters a healthy learning environment. To have preconceived notions about a class demographic or socioeconomic status does more detract from the messaging of the class than positive. It is important to fully understand that everyone's backgrounds are different, but we all are trying our best to get through the class and ultimately the course and program.

# data[].attributes.body
Steps for accessing this video:
Step 1: Click on the play icon or anywhere within this box.
Step 2: Then click on the icon located in the bottom right hand corner that looks like a small square with a diagonal arrow to expand your video.

# data[].attributes.headline
Module Question: What does cultural competence mean to you? How have the videos, case study and these learning resources impacted the ways that you think about diversity and inclusion related to your teaching? Add your comments-join in the conversation!

# data[].attributes.subject
Module Question: What does cultural competence mean to you? How have the videos, case study and these learning resources impacted the ways that you think about diversity and inclusion related to your teaching? Add your comments-join in the conversation!

# data[].attributes.body
Directions for adding your comments:
Step 1: Add your comments below by clicking on the pink circle with the "+" sign at the bottom right hand corner, which will turn into a pencil icon.
Step 2: You can also add comments from other comments by clicking "add comment" in the empty text field (see the example below).
Step 3: Then click the send icon to post your comment.

# data[].attributes.headline
Perceptions of Cultural Competency and Acceptance among College Students: Implications for Diversity Awareness in Higher Education

# data[].attributes.subject
Perceptions of Cultural Competency and Acceptance among College Students: Implications for Diversity Awareness in Higher Education

# data[].attributes.body
Directions for accessing this article:
Simply click on the article to expand for a larger view.

# data[].attributes.headline
Professional Leadership Practices and Diversity Issues in the US Higher Education System

# data[].attributes.subject
Professional Leadership Practices and Diversity Issues in the US Higher Education System

# data[].attributes.body
Directions for accessing this article:
Simply click on the article to expand for a larger view.