
Learning Path
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
Path Level: 100
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1
Path
4
Courses
8
Hours

Learning Path Overview
Challenge your perspective and strengthen your ability to support all learners by engaging in dialogues about culturally responsive practices. Connect with learners who are thinking about how they can actively advocate for equity in their roles.
Meet THE subject matter expert
Samantha Fletcher, Ed.M
With nearly 20 years of experience in journalism, research, education, and DEI -- including much of that time in educator and parent roles -- Samantha is in many ways uniquely qualified to facilitate the equity and antiracism professional development workshops that she discovered are her passion. Between workshops, webinars, consulting, and keynote speaking, she has impacted thousands in transformational ways, and has become known for bringing a friendly, engaging approach to what some consider difficult conversations.
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a message from samantha
I am beyond excited just thinking about how much this course will help educators on their journeys to become more culturally responsive teachers. With students’ needs in mind, we carefully designed this course with thoughtful intentionality around helping teachers understand what to do as well as around removing or minimizing teacher barriers to meeting those student needs. From starting with introspection in order to grasp the why and how to practical examples of what to do in the classroom, we believe CRE will be hugely transformative in the way teachers teach. Plus, because it is asynchronous, it is there for them to come back to should they need reminders later.
Having been on both sides of teaching – in the classroom and as a coach providing teacher support – I know there are many teachers who want to teach in a culturally responsive way. Unfortunately, they soon discover they can’t rely on what they learned in their teacher training programs because so many of these did not instruct on how to meaningfully incorporate diversity, inclusion, or cultural competency and responsiveness. But with this course, they no longer have to feel at a loss. CRE was designed by teachers for teachers. I’m confident this will help with beginning or enhancing their culturally responsive teaching.
Courses
Level 101
Beginning with Introspection
Culturally Responsive Education is a kind of forward-thinking pedagogy that allows for the intentional inclusion of students from underrepresented groups and helps all students feel valued and included; this is accomplished by following specifically outlined methods of teaching, combined with high expectations for students. Teachers who are successful in this approach are those who put in concerted efforts to get to know, learn from, and engage with students and families who are culturally and often linguistically different from the teachers. To set the stage for this to happen, it is imperative that teachers do their own introspective reflection work to discover areas of growth that, once strengthened, can help them truly teach this way. This course will help participants understand how to approach this introspective process, providing a structure for reflection that will help in designing culturally responsive educational experiences.
Eduscape
Level 104
Digging Deeper and Applying Components
Now that you have learned foundational elements and components of Culturally Responsive Teaching, this course will take a closer look and a deeper dive at some of those for an enhanced understanding. What can windows and mirrors look like, particularly when the whole class looks the same? What about metaphorical bridges? What are methods of gathering funds of knowledge, and what are various ways they come in useful in teaching moments? How about student expectations in differentiated learning? And when and how are the best times and ways to engage families? In this course, we will take CRT deeper and discover ways to apply it to situations such as these.
Eduscape
Level 102
Foundations of Culturally Responsive Practices
Teachers serve classrooms filled with culturally and linguistically diverse students. An individual's culture and background are critically important to their experiences and outcomes as learners. It is therefore essential for educators to engage in teaching practices that are grounded in a dedication to cultural literacy, and a celebration for diversity. Creating a culture of empathy, equity, and belonging in the classroom begins with the ability to recognize and implement key features of a culturally responsive environment. Learners will leave this course with a wide breadth of knowledge surrounding diversity, and cultural inclusion, and responsiveness in a classroom environment.
Eduscape
Level 103
Setting the Stage for Culturally Responsive Learning Experiences
Research has shown that learning outcomes increase in classrooms that engage students in culturally responsive learning experiences. As we journey to develop our competencies in culturally responsive practices, there are lenses we can use to critically analyze and develop an environment that sets the stage for planning and implementation. In this course, we’ll revisit the importance of culturally responsive practices and explore the process of establishing a culturally responsive learning environment through these four specific lenses: Audit (examining current practices), Relationships (with students and families), Environment (the physical classroom), and Curriculum (academic planning). Using the framework provided, along with the support of specific examples and resources, course participants will develop a plan to strengthen existing techniques or infuse new culturally responsive elements into their own practice.
Eduscape
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