"If You Want to Go Far": Culturally Relevant Teaching in a Co-Taught Classroom

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 3
  In Roundtable Session: Equity, Race, and Cultural Competence

Abstract

The many culturally and linguistically diverse students receiving special education services face pronounced challenges in accessing rigorous, empowering, and culturally relevant education. These students, like others with disabilities, are increasingly being served in co-taught classrooms yet research has rarely looked at how culturally relevant teaching and co-teaching can combine. At Washington High School, Dr. Sumner and Coach Wilson have developed their own way to deliver culturally relevant instruction in a co-taught context. The teachers rely on their unique experiences and collaborative partnership to deliver empowerment focused instruction and use their co-teaching to amplify their culturally relevant instruction. This case study draws on observations and interviews of the teachers to propose a new model for co-taught, culturally relevant instruction.

Author

• Rose Sebastian, University of Virginia