TEACHING THROUGH A CULTURALLY DIVERSE LENS
A Culturally Responsive Teaching Course.
It’s these questions that often keep teachers up at night: “Why is it so hard to develop a relationship with my Black and Brown students? What am I doing wrong? My students don’t seem interested in what I am teaching, how do I change this? What practical strategies are out there to engage students of color?”
As our classroom demographics continue to shift into a more diverse population of students from various cultural backgrounds, more educators are finding themselves seeking answers to how they can create a more inclusive and socially just learning environment.
This is a 6 module online course created to help you become a better educator to ethnically and linguistically diverse students.
Learning Outcomes
Self-Identity
Self-identify implicit bias within your current teaching practices and how those biases impact student learning
Cultural Awareness
Develop consciousness, knowledge, and skills in creating curriculum and instruction that engages students from diverse backgrounds
Advocacy Development
List strategies to advocate and address issues of equity and social justice within and outside the classroom
The “E” Word (EQUITY), is a weary topic in many of our schools today. Districts are struggling to provide more than just a “catchy slogan” to support their Equity work. But, Dr. Sheldon Eakins meets this daunting need with knowledge and wisdom for all who are courageous and caring enough to lean into the conversation. Teaching through a Culturally Diverse Lens, has provided me a safe and flexible learning environment, to discuss issues that negatively impact many of my marginalized student populations. Through this course, I was challenged in the following understandings:
- What it means for all students to learn, and how to have high expectations for all students
- How to deepen my thinking about the inherent dignity of all students and to demonstrate respect
- How to be a more flexible and responsive advocate for students and families
- What is means to believe in myself and the power I have to make a difference in the lives of learners
- How to be a continuous learner, who keeps abreast of equitable discourse and resources with other professionals
Ronett D. Jacobs, Educator
Course Outline
Module 1: Self-Awareness
In this module, you will identify your own implicit bias. We all have biases, understanding those biases and developing ways to overcome them is a step towards looking through a culturally diverse lens.
Module 2: Why Culture Matters
You will explore your own culture and why culture matters. We begin by considering how current “traditional” forms of teaching suppresses the identities of students from various race/ethnicities, ability levels, socioeconomic status, gender, and sexual identities.
Module 3: Achieving Cultural Competence
In this module, you will address how to have empathy and not sympathy towards students from different backgrounds. You will also explore the impact of microaggressions, Whiteness, Othering, power and privilege.
Module 4: Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy
In this module, you will take a deeper dive into the art of culturally responsive teaching. You will learn about asset-based teaching such as Hip Hop and Spoken Word Pedagogy, Indigenous Learning Circles, Bi-lingual Education, classroom discussion strategies, and co-teaching.
Module 5: Moving from Deficit to Asset Approaches
This module extends your knowledge of teaching/classroom management strategies to support students from various ability levels. You will also learn about student advocacy, Social Emotional Learning, and behavior management.
Module 6: Leading Equity
You will learn ways to address inequities at the school/district level. Finally, you will leave encouraged to continue to be an equity advocate for social justice at your school.
I want to help
If you are lost in finding which teaching strategies can help connect and capture a culturally diverse classroom, then this course is for you.
"Dr. Eakins' course encouraged cohort members to discuss the why behind inequities and offered participants opportunities to connect in restorative ways."
Erica Buchanan-Rivera, Ph.D.
Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer
"Dr. Eakins’ drew upon his own lived experience, education, and expertise and presented information from other experts in equity as well. The program was well structured, inclusive, and provided much-needed information. I feel confident taking on the responsibility of co-leading my school’s equity team knowing that I can reach out to Dr. Eakins and the rest of my cohort through the Voxer group. We formed relationships that will live on well beyond the length of this course."
Kathy Ramsey
Special Education Teacher
"Any educator who works in a culturally diverse school -- or wants to prepare students for a culturally diverse world -- can gain SO MUCH from this course. In "Teaching Through a Culturally Diverse Lens," educators take a critical eye to their own assumptions. They get actionable advice on improving their practice. Plus, Dr. Sheldon Eakins creates safe spaces for brave conversations about race, equity and diversity. If you're ready to be changed and make a change, this course is for you."
Matt Miller
educator, speaker, author of Ditch That Textbook
"This course will cause you to "feel" in a variety of ways...You will learn how to discover your own biases, how to tame them, and how to respond to inequitable situations. The course is user friendly and adaptable to the learners who take it. Go ahead, sign up. It's worth it!"
Dr. Mechele Newell
Educator
"Thank you! This course was just what I needed."
Erin Livingston
Fourth Grade Teacher
"After hearing a friend of mine speak glowingly about the course, I decided to finally register for the course myself, and words cannot express how much I’ve grown in just the six weeks that I’ve been involved in the Leading Equity course! I can honestly say I’m better at recognizing my biases, and I’m completely empowered to continue doing the work that is crucial to both my development as a teacher and the development of an equitable space for all my students."
Deanna Lough
Educator
Picture This...
Imagine a classroom in which students are inspired to learn because the curriculum and instruction is relevant to their languages, literacies, and cultural practices. A classroom in which students can freely discuss social justice issues that affect them and their communities. I want to help you place the focus back on student learning through a culturally diverse lens.
If you have a desire to become a more culturally aware teacher but not sure where to start, this online course is for you!
ENROLL NOW
Meet Your Instructor
Sheldon L. Eakins, Ph.D. is the Founder of the Leading Equity Center and host of the Leading Equity Podcast. With over 11 years in education, he has served as a teacher, principal, and Director of Special Education.
Dr. Eakins has a passion for helping educators accomplish equitable practices in their schools. He has earned a B.S. degree in Social Science Education, an M.S. degree in Educational Leadership, and a Ph.D. in K-12 Education.
