Reference no: EM133567837

There have been some seismic shifts in the teaching profession over the last decade, as the policy pendulum has swung back and forth. While teachers are cautiously optimistic about the profession's direction, they say a growing focus on accountability has put a lot on their plates. In addition, teachers say they feel their jobs have gotten harder as they grapple with constantly changing education reforms-including those that affect their pay and job security-and societal problems that have made their way into the classroom. Chapter 5 and the Learning for Justice website provide a general outlook on how national policy on teachers and teaching has changed over the past ten years.

As more and more students from diverse backgrounds populate 21st-century classrooms and efforts mount to identify effective methods to teach these students, the need for pedagogical approaches that are culturally responsive intensifies. Today's classrooms require teachers to educate students varying in culture, language, abilities, and many other characteristics. Teachers must employ theoretically sound and culturally responsive pedagogy to meet this challenge. Teachers must create classroom culture where all students, regardless of their cultural and linguistic background, are welcomed, supported, and provided with the best opportunity to learn.

Discussion

Several students in your classroom respond to almost every piece of cultural information by saying, "That is stupid," or "That is so weird." In addition, students may use derogatory terms, often bantering; however, others find it offensive and may lead to verbal and physical altercations in your classroom.

Prompts

How would you deal with a similar situation (as described above) in your classroom?

Provide concrete examples of how you can address this issue based on pedagogical principles that address the curriculum and guide classroom management when confronted with negative perceptions about a student's culture.