5 Inspiring Examples of Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy in Action
Culturally sustaining pedagogy is an approach to education that empowers students with diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds by incorporating their identities and experiences into the curriculum. By acknowledging and respecting students’ cultural practices and beliefs, culturally sustaining pedagogy creates an inclusive and supportive learning environment that facilitates their academic and personal growth.
Here are five inspiring examples of culturally sustaining pedagogy in action:
1. The Ethnic Studies Program at San Francisco State University
The Ethnic Studies Program at San Francisco State University is designed to challenge students to think critically about the history, culture, and struggles of communities of color in the United States. The program aims to empower students to become agents of change by equipping them with the knowledge and skills to challenge systemic racism and inequality.
Students in the program engage in a wide range of activities that integrate their cultural identities into their academic experiences, including community-based research projects, student-led conferences, and internships with local community-based organizations.
2. The Multicultural Education Program at the University of Massachusetts Boston
The Multicultural Education Program at the University of Massachusetts Boston employs a culturally and linguistically responsive approach to teaching that recognizes and values the diverse backgrounds of its students. The program engages students in critical inquiry of the intersections of race, culture, and identity in education.
The program uses a range of instructional strategies that incorporate students’ cultural knowledge, experiences, and perspectives into the curriculum. These strategies include culturally relevant curricula, collaborative learning, and the building of inclusive classroom environments.
3. The High Tech High School Network in San Diego
The High Tech High School Network in San Diego is a group of public charter schools that uses a project-based approach to education and emphasizes inquiry, innovation, and collaboration. The schools offer a wide range of courses and programs that valorize and celebrate diverse cultures and perspectives.
One of the network’s schools, High Tech High Chula Vista, has developed a culturally responsive course on the history of Chicano/Latino activism in the United States. The course incorporates Chicano/Latino cultural practices, music, and literature into the curriculum, providing students with a meaningful and relevant learning experience.
4. The Dual Language Program at Longfellow Elementary in Berkeley, California
The Dual Language Program at Longfellow Elementary in Berkeley, California is a bilingual program that integrates Spanish and English-speaking students into the same classroom. The program supports and celebrates the linguistic and cultural diversity of all students.
Students in the program are taught equally in both languages, with the goal of full language proficiency in both Spanish and English by the end of the program. The program encourages students to share their cultural experiences and develop cross-cultural understanding and appreciation.
5. The Revolución en Los Archivos (Revolution in the Archives) Project at the University of Texas at Austin
The Revolución en Los Archivos (Revolution in the Archives) Project at the University of Texas at Austin is a student-led initiative that seeks to document and preserve the history of Chicano activism in the United States. The project aims to empower students to become active agents of knowledge production and social change by providing them with the tools and resources to conduct archival research.
Students in the project engage in a range of activities that incorporate their cultural identities into their academic experiences, including oral history interviews, archival research, and public presentations. The project provides students with a unique opportunity to contribute to the recovery and preservation of their own cultural heritage.
In conclusion, these five examples of culturally sustaining pedagogy highlight the importance of incorporating students’ cultural identities and experiences into the curriculum. By doing so, educators can create inclusive and supportive learning environments that value and celebrate diversity, promote critical thinking, and empower students to become agents of social change.
