Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain by Riley Dimsey

rmadisondims — 2024-07-21 13:57:20 UTC

Think of Culture being like a tree. A tree is a large part of our ecosystem but each tree is still unique to itself. Trees, like culture, also shape the growth and development of life. The deepest parts of culture are embedded in the roots of the tree. These roots are what makes an individual who they are as a person. I love the analogy of the tree representing culture because it is a beautiful way of representing who we are as individuals and what makes us who we are.

rmadisondims — 2024-07-21 14:00:34 UTC

It is important to remind ourselves as educators to look at a culturally diverse classroom with a scope on deep culture.

It can be difficult to learn all of the visible factors of a culture, like how they dress, what they eat, and what they celebrate. It is important to find out about the background of the culture and what shapes the people in that culture.

rmadisondims — 2024-07-21 14:01:14 UTC

rmadisondims — 2024-07-21 14:02:21 UTC

rmadisondims — 2024-07-21 14:15:16 UTC

Teachers must check their own implicit biases when
preparing to be culturally responsive teachers. Without awareness and efforts to address implicit biases, teachers may unintentionally stereotype or marginalize students from underrepresented groups. This can result in lower academic achievement, reduced self-esteem, and decreased motivation from students. By taking time to examine and understand your own biases, you can develop a better understanding of your own cultural lenses and take steps to overcome them. This will create a more inclusive and supportive learning environment that values and honors the diversity of all students.

rmadisondims — 2024-07-21 14:19:24 UTC

Neuroscience plays a significant role in culturally responsive teaching by providing a scientific understanding of how the brain processes and responds to cultural and linguistic differences. Research in neuroscience has shown that the brain is highly adaptable and can reorganize itself in response to new experiences. This highlights the importance of providing students with diverse and inclusive learning experiences that acknowledge and validate their cultural backgrounds. By understanding how the brain responds to cultural cues teachers can implement different learning strategies, incorporate culturally relevant materials and examples, and promote student autonomy and agency. By doing this, educators can foster a sense of belonging and engagement among students from diverse backgrounds, leading to improved academic outcomes and social-emotional well-being.

rmadisondims — 2024-07-21 14:30:36 UTC

We always want to make sure our students feel safe and comfortable in the classroom. As educators we must create a classroom environment where students can thrive not only educationally but culturally. Students from different backgrounds tend to experience stress in the classroom when they do not feel welcomed or comfortable. This stress can stem from being a part of marginalized communities. Marginalized communities can include race, class, language, or gender. Being sure to recognize and embrace students cultures and lifestyles will lead to the inclusive classroom environment we thrive to bring to our classroom as educators.