"My Teacher Believes in Me": Elementary Students' Perceptions of Their Teachers' Culturally Relevant Practices

• In Event: Do You Really See Me? An Examination of the Influences of Educator and Student Perceptions on Development

Abstract

This study examines elementary students’ perceptions of their teacher’s culturally responsive practices. Data were collected through semi structured interviews with students and their teacher as well as 34 classroom observations, each lasting between 30-60 minutes. Students were able to identify specific teacher practices, like a warm, safe environment, high expectations, and positive exposure to their culture and other cultures, but were unable to recognize conversations that explicitly addressed racism and discrimination. The implications of this study speak to the importance of teachers explicitly explaining when conversations are about racism, especially as resistance to anti-racist teaching grows in some pockets across the country.

Authors

• Abigail Akosua Amoako Kayser, California State University - Fullerton

• Brian Kayser, University of Virginia