"It's Not Hard Work, It's Heart Work": Effective Strategies of Highly Qualified, Award-Winning Culturally Responsive Teachers

• In Event: Poster Session 8
  In Poster Session: Division K Section 4 Poster Session

Abstract

With an increasingly diverse American K-12 school population, an urgent call to meet the needs of diverse student groups has encroached teachers nationwide. As such, there has been an ensuing demand for teachers to develop the knowledge, dispositions, and pedagogical competencies necessary to teach children from diverse backgrounds. Acknowledging this need, this basic qualitative analysis examines the instructional practices that five high-performing, award-winning teachers of urban students use to create culturally responsive classroom environments. In responding to the disparaging academic achievement of many students of color, culturally responsive teaching may be the key to closing enduring achievement gaps. Findings indicate seven major themes. Concluding implications are provided for practitioners seeking to improve their classroom pedagogical practices and advance student achievement.

Authors

• Crystal Polite Glover, Winthrop University

• Abiola A. Farinde, University of Pittsburgh

• Nakeshia N Williams, University of North Carolina - Charlotte