I was introduced to this game changer book by Dr. Katherine Zielinski who presented her research to my doctoral class last summer: “Becoming Culturally Responsive: The Experience of Preservice ECE Teachers in One Community College”. Dr. Zielinski described the connection between Cultural Responsive Teaching (CRT) and how it positively fosters academic achievement… I was inspired and hooked. It soooo connected with my understanding of Trauma Informed Care (TIC) which is effective when reaching, teaching, healing or training children and youth. I immediately purchased an Audible version of “Culturally Responsive Teaching & The Brain: Promoting Authentic Engagement and Rigor Among Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students” by Zaretta Hammond but then also the paperback because I love to mark up books with my highlights and sticky notes.
Intuitively, we realize students need to connect with content presented in classroom right? I believe the challenge is that many educators, school staff and administrators often need much more support to develop their practices amidst competing often overwhelming demands placed on them. They ALSO deserve much more nurturing care in the process of learning, developing, healing and growing amidst this challenging Covid-19 educational environment.
Hammond’s book describes an entire wholistic skill set needed to identify how CRT impacts cognitive learning. Hammond’s neuroscience based Ready 4 Rigor Framework truly resonates with me as a launching point to overhaul our current Covid19 educational challenges. The Ready 4 Rigor Framework helps us understand how the utilization of CRT supports developing independent students who can “accelerate their capacity” and thereby decrease the achievement gap:
Hopefully you will also enjoy this book to support your journey…
These look like wonderful resources, Heloise. Thank you!