Instructional Playbook

Relationships and Cultural Responsiveness

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Critical Actions for Educators

Relationships matter. Positive teacher-student relationships can remove barriers for students, allowing them to feel safe enough to give their full attention to learning. An essential element of building relationships is using students’ cultures and experiences to make learning more relevant. Cultural responsiveness is teaching “ to and through” the strengths of all students (Gay, 2018). This requires awareness and understanding of varying cultures and how classroom and school systems can be arranged to ensure the support and validation of each student. Building relationships and cultural responsiveness begins with high expectations and the belief that, with support, all students can be successful. Attending to relationships and cultural responsiveness shapes the classroom climate by: helping students establish connections with the school and school community promoting positive student to student relationships establishing a sense of belonging for students who feel they do not “fit in” giving students opportunities to explore and attempt more challenging tasks without fear of failure or ridicule creating a respectful environment that helps all students feel valued, safe, and respected

TEACHER-STUDENT RELATIONSHIPS

Use student names during interactions with correct pronunciation Engage with students about their personal interests or experiences Equitably distribute response opportunities

CULTURAL RESPONSIVENESS Cultural and linguistic characteristics of all students are reflected in the classroom Connect new content to culturally relevant examples Make space for student voice "Positive teacher student interaction is the most important factor in effective teaching." -John Hattie (2009)