Teaching that is Culturally-Relevant -Responsive and -Sustaining – Podcast Episode 211 | Classnotes Podcast 211

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Classnotes Podcast (May 18, 2021). In exploring the role of teachers in bringing about academic success for students of color, three terms are often used interchangeably: culturally responsive, culturally relevant, and culturally sustaining. But understanding the differences in these terms can deepen how educators work with their students in their diverse classrooms.

In this episode, Dr. Altheria Caldera, IDRA Education Policy Fellow, is joined by her co-author, Dr. Alexandra (Ale) Babino, Assistant Professor, Director of Bilingual/ESL Programs, Texas A&M Commerce. They describe the development of the three terms, the great minds behind them and what they mean for educational practice.

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Show length: 16:02 min.

Resources

Subtractive Schooling: U.S.-Mexican Youth and the Politics of Caring, by Angela Valenzuela

The Dreamkeepers: Successful Teachers of African American Children, by Gloria Ladson-Billings

Culturally Sustaining Pedagogies: Teaching and Learning for Justice in a Changing World, by D. Paris & H.S. Alim, 2017

Fostering Culturally Diverse Learning Environments, by Dr. Paula Johnson, IDRA Newsletter, August 2016

Positive School Climates and Diverse Populations, by Dr. Kristin Grayson, IDRA Newsletter, August 2016

Teaching Must be Culturally Relevant to be Quality, by Bradley Scott, Ph.D., IDRA Newsletter, May 2009

Creating Culturally Responsive Parent Engagement – Principal Shares Strategies for Success, by Dr. Rosana G. Rodríguez, Dr. Rogelio López del Bosque, and Dr. Abelardo Villarreal, IDRA Newsletter, November-December 2008

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Show Notes

  • Altheria talks about how she came to understand the terms of culturally relevant and culturally-responsive pedagogy in her research.

  • Ale shares how her background – and love of culture and languages – has shaped her journey in higher education, including her research in critical pedagogy.

  • Ale discusses Paulo Freire’s “critical consciousness” framework, and the need for culturally sustaining pedagogy in language learning.

  • Altheria outlines the three main components of culturally relevant pedagogy, based on the work of Gloria Ladson-Billings.

  • Altheria and Ale reinforce the importance of affirming and honoring students’ stories, experiences, and cultural backgrounds, both in the classroom and in the community.