Overview of Culturally Responsive Teaching

     In chapter three of Dana Goldstein's Teacher Wars, the author talks about a teacher by the name of Charlotte Forten. Forten came from a family of free African Americans and eventually used her privilege and knowledge to become a school teacher. For a while, Forten taught on the island of St. Helena. While she was there, her goal was not only to teach the formerly enslaved people but to instill in them a sense of racial pride. She was teaching to be culturally responsive. Forten filled her lessons with the history of the Haitian revolution and referenced poets dedicated to her cause such as John Greenleaf. She wanted to inspire her students, and teach them something most relevant to them (Goldstien, 2014, p. 49-51).

    In Jarvis R. Givens book, Fugitive Pedagogy, the author identifies what Carter G. Woodson defines as fugitive pedagogy: "Learning as a means for escape" (Givens, 2021, p.3). Originally, Woodson was meaning escape from slavery and or captivity, however, today I think that can be interpreted to escape from inequality or the inequity that people of color face today. Fugitive pedagogy is the foundation of culturally responsive teaching.

    In my art education foundations class, my professor Dr. Kathy Brown, who was very involved in culturally responsive teaching, recommended a website called Antiracist Art Teacher. This website is super helpful when navigating how to be culturally responsive in the classroom. The website has multiple resources including terminology, lesson plans, activities, and much more. On one of the pages, the site defines a culturally responsive pedagogy as " a student-centered approach to teaching in which the students’ unique cultural strengths are identified and nurtured to promote student achievement and a sense of well-being about the student’s cultural place in the world" (Antiracist Art Teacher, 2021)

    Culturally responsive teaching is not the same for every class or student. Each student has their own story and history and as an instructor, it is important to understand that. If we teach students in a way that is relevant to them, often times they will gain greater achievement. They will learn more and will have a more positive outlook on their classroom, school, and even life. Using students' unique strengths to learn, creates a better environment for them to succeed.