This book offers future teachers, current teachers, and educational leaders an array of research-based strategies for delivering culturally competent, responsive, and inclusive instruction. It provides teaching tactics in the form of action-oriented practices that help educators continually hone their effectiveness in the classroom. Rather than prescribing a rigid set of practices, the text details principles that allow teachers to adapt the material to fit the needs of their students.--

Infusing Diversity & Cultural Competence into Teacher Education

Designed Specifically for University of the Cumberlands

Cultural competence is key to improved student achievement This book shows you how to provide professional development for teachers that deepens their cultural understanding. The authors provide activities to help educators translate new knowledge into action with activities that focus on the three inseparable insights required for developing teachers’ critical cultural competency: Understanding themselves Understanding their students Understanding their students’ families and communities Readers have access to a companion website that contains reproducible resource lists and handouts as well as examples that can serve as models for some of the activities.

"This well crafted, highly informative, and easy-to-read book is a must for teachers who are trying to find constructive and nonthreatening ways to engage with ethnic, racial, and cultural diversity. The author′s approach to the topic is encouraging and enlightening." —Geneva Gay, Professor of Education University of Washington "Gallavan effectively guides teachers through learning each child′s story, providing meaningful connections, and collectively sharing the responsibility for all students′ learning." —Linda D. Jungwirth, President, Convening Conversations, Inc. Pepperdine University, CA Chart your course with the Gallavan cultural competence compass All children have one important thing in common—the need to be treated with dignity, respect, and care. Navigating Cultural Competence in Grades 6–12 shows teachers and administrators how to ensure that the cultures of all peoples are considered and valued. The author provides an eight-point cultural compass to guide you in crafting a respectful and inclusive curriculum. Each chapter includes frequently asked questions, specific strategies, and activities that help you: Broaden your knowledge about cultural diversity Become comfortable discussing culture Increase confidence in your teaching Create a welcoming school environment It is vital for you to infuse cultural competence into your instruction, build bridges between students in the classroom, and strive to connect students′ home and school lives. This book provides valuable tools for ensuring that all students feel accepted and engaged.

Early Childhood Teacher Education on Cultural Competence discusses how early childhood preservice teachers can use teacher research to explore and gain cultural competence, enabling them to support students and families from diverse backgrounds. The book opens by describing the role of the university in preparing culturally competent teachers in urban settings and then explores historical perspectives of cultural competence. Chapters then move toward more practical perspectives of supporting families from racially diverse backgrounds, understanding diverse families, interprofessional education and collaboration, teacher resiliency, and social justice. Although the chapters focus on cultural competence in urban settings, they offer all early childhood teacher educators a challenge to address cultural competence in all settings.

Without proper training on the intricacies of race and culture, pre-service and in-service teachers may unwittingly continue outdated and ineffective pedagogies. As the demographics of student bodies shift to include more diverse backgrounds, fluency in the discourse of social justice becomes necessary. The Handbook of Research on Promoting Cross-Cultural Competence and Social Justice in Teacher Education elucidates the benefits, challenges, and strategies necessary to prepare teachers to meet the needs of a diverse student body. Featuring the newest research and pedagogical tools written by diverse scholars in the field of teacher training, this expertly crafted handbook is ideal for teachers, administrators, students of education, and policymakers.