Get Your Students Hired
Cultural competence is a requirement in any sector a person find him or herself because of the multicultural nature of the US.
Diversity and Inclusion is part of our culture. We have to learn to understand and respect everybody
I have learned the importance of respecting each person as the unique individual they are; to examine my own thoughts as to what or who an individual is based on preconceived or ingrained notions, and to allow for differences in educational processes and pedagogy to enable all to thrive and be successful in my classes.
I believe that everyone does have the ability to benefit from the educational experience although if students are treated fairly and with respect the learning environment is ineffective
Comment on Eleta Reed-Morgan's post: Each student have their own differences and ways they learn so we as instructors need to understand it and assist with it.
Comment on April Quinton's post: I have learned a new concept to cultural competency because many students need instructors to know and understnad their differences on many levels. By that, we as instructors can be more flexible in the learning envoronment.
I want my students to know that I care about them and that I am there to help all of them succeed.
Interesing how you can apply EQ to increase cultural awareness as well, and reflection at the end of the classroom great way to evalaute if you met individual student needs.
It is important to creat a safe space where everyone will feel comfortable being themselves
Being culturally competent means first knowing who I am: knowing my assumptions and beliefs; and my value which in turn allows me to value others in a manner that is equal or greater to my value.
I am working to understand my own cultural lens and how my identity and experiences align to and stand in contrast with the students I serve. As a member of the dominant culture, I have many blind spots and limited perspectives. I must seek ways to better understand the lived experiences of my students and the ways in which their various identities impact the experience they have in my classroom.
I can reach almost any student by meeting them exactly where they are. Not assuming to know where they are. But allowing them to tell me, through presence, attention and care, where they are and what their needs are.
If i can interupt my assumptions and be aware of the needs of all my students, I can begin to find new ways to instruct succefully.
I have always treated every student as an individual and have respected their cultures and language. Every student is a precious human being. I worked in the field 40+ years and I have always not allowed my biases to interfere with my patient care and so it is as an Instructor. Every student has a right to be successful and it is my job to get them there. My record proves that this is so.
I learned things I already knew about myself. I do have unconscious bias and have tracked where it originated. Where? family, environment, societal norms. I identified a bias a couple of years ago while driving on a street. I saw a woman look like of Mexican descnce with a stroller (two kids in it), two kids walking and one in the belly. My first thought at a glance was anchor babies, and using the system with the children. Before I could complete that thought another thought popped up. Why did I go there? Why did I go negative?
I then said out loud is this how unconscious bias happens. I t thought about why didn't I say how nice it is for a mother to be at home with her children. Why not consider if it was a care provider for children? Why not consider based on her culture she may be a stay at home mom based on her Catholoic background and the role of the man being the provider.
I quickly shared this aha moment with my students as I share it with you. The beginning of cultural competence from my perspective is the self-reflection of your own bias toward others. I immediately ask for forgiveness from my Lord as that woman was also a daughter of the most high.