Key Challenges to Cultivating Cultural and Racial Understanding in Classroom Dynamics
By Kyla Still and Dr. Benjamin M. Drury
Most educators in Chicago Public Schools are white and most students in their classrooms are not. On the surface, why would this be a problem? After all, aren’t teachers supposed to treat all students the same? Cultural and racial understanding within classrooms can pose a significant challenge for teachers.
Validating the cultural identity of your students can fundamentally shift the interaction in the classroom and other spaces on campus.
Hurdles can often be attributed to entrenched bad habits or a lack of awareness among educators. The importance of addressing these issues cannot be overstated, as they directly impact the educational experience of students.
One key aspect of this challenge is the use of stereotypes in profiling students’ abilities. For example, educators may mistakenly believe that students of certain racial or cultural backgrounds are predisposed to excel in particular subjects, while struggling in others. Taking a narrow-minded approach not only limits students’ potential but also perpetuates harmful biases. To effectively address these challenges, educators must adopt a more…
