In the fifth installment of the Growth over Grades podcast, Melody talks with Stephanie Morgan-Harris, an experienced educator currently serving as a junior high school principal. Stephanie underscores the critical role of culturally relevant teaching practices in empowering both educators and students to embrace their unique identities within the educational landscape. Stephanie asserts that students succeed when they see themselves in the curriculum.
Culturally Relevant Teaching Practices for Student Success
Central to Stephanie's philosophy is the belief that authentic connections between educators and students form the bedrock of meaningful learning experiences. She encourages educators to invest time and effort in developing a deep understanding of their students, recognizing the nuanced layers that contribute to their profile. She emphasizes the significance of integrating historical cultural relevance into students' learning experiences.
Listen, watch, or read the key takeaways below.
Episode Highlights
- 2:47 What is the most important step in building relationships with students?
- 7:30 How do cultural competencies and identity lead to student growth?
- 13:30 What evidence of learning is most valuable?
- 22:03 What is one piece of wisdom that you’d like to share with other educators?
Key Takeaways
- Cultural competencies refer to how students see themselves reflected in what they are learning. Culturally relevant teaching goes beyond simply recognizing cultural diversity and strives to make connections between students' cultural identities and the curriculum.
- Building meaningful relationships is crucial to understanding the portrait of each learner. By asking probing questions to delve deeper, you can establish pathways for truly knowing your students.
- The concept of "Mirrors and Windows" emphasizes the importance of students being able to relate to the curriculum by seeing themselves and others represented within it. Understanding the historical context enables students to envision themselves succeeding in the subject matter.
- Offering students opportunities for meaningful learning experiences beyond the classroom, where they can see themselves reflected, enhances the transfer of knowledge and cultivates connections to real-life situations. This allows them to envision themselves succeeding in the future.
- The ultimate proof of learning is demonstrated through students' application of knowledge. It is crucial to prioritize celebrating growth over fixating solely on grades, acknowledging that life experiences play a significant role in learning and personal development.
Curious about competency-based education? Listen to S1E6 with Allison Curry
