Timeline to Becoming a Culturally Responsive Teacher

  • Richie asks us to consider being a culturally responsive educator

  • Begin to wonder how this might look in my classroom now?

    And how in the world can I make sure that I'm actually doing it? What does it look like as a teacher? As a student? Where do I turn to for help?!
  • Begin to master cultural responsiveness

    At this point in my career I should have enough experience and practice to be implementing cultural responsiveness without consciously thinking about it. This should begin to come as second nature when I lesson plan. I am far from trying to simply stay afloat, I am swimming on my own, no water wings.
  • Period: to

    Time it will take to master cultural responsiveness in the classroom

  • Period: to

    Time it will take to master the lesson plan

  • Finished with the Winter Term! One step closer!!

  • Panic during 10 week Student Teaching

    Because that means I'm that much closer to being done. And seriously, how am I supposed to cram everything I've been taught into all my lessons? It's impossible!
  • Incorporate more ED 476 strategies into my curriculum

  • Complete Credential Program through La Verne

  • Move to Virginia to find a teaching position

    Less than ideal, but sacrifices must be made.
  • Begin New Teaching Position

    Because I live in a world of optimism!! I will totally find a job right after graduation!
  • Start to count down days until winter break

  • Begin to wonder why I chose this profession

  • Officially allowed to start smiling in class

    ...maybe...
  • Remember that I should be a culturally responsive teacher

    ...and scramble to adjust my lessons accordingly
  • Forget again about cultural responsiveness

    I'm a teacher; if it's not on a PostIt, I can't remember it.
  • Celebrate surviving my first year of teaching

  • Prepare for a new school year

    And this time, I'll make sure to use everything I learned at La Verne!
  • Hey, that was actually a really great lesson!

    My ED 476 professor would be proud!
  • Begin to feel like I can handle this profession

    I've mastered the lesson plan, I know my students well and I can adapt my lessons to their needs. Now to just make sure that I can incorporate their cultural identities into my curriculum!
  • Entering year 3 of teaching, start to master my craft

  • No longer just "treading water"

    I know the ins and outs, and I'm much more comfortable adapting my curriculum
  • Move out of state, again

    Because as the spouse of a med student, you go to the residency, it doesn't come to you.
  • Have a new teaching position, in a new school

  • Learn my school culture

    Because my teaching isn't effective if it isn't tailored to the needs of the student culture
  • Evolve my pedagogy

    At this point I should be including several points of study from this class. I should be comfortable enough with the structure of a lesson and the flow of my own teaching style to implement activities and strategies that push even my boundaries. I am a learner alongside my students, I should be challenged as they are challenged.
  • Realize it's been years since I finished my training

    Ensue panic about how fast time goes by
  • Continue in my jouney to constantly improve

  • Realize I will never stop evolving my craft

    Because my students change, so should I. Each year will be a new learning experience, a new challenge, and a new success. No two years will ever be exactly the same. But now, I can incorporate most - if not all - of what I have been taught, and I will be an effective, engaging teacher