To say that 2020 has been quite a year would be an understatement. We can try to deny it but in every home and virtual space across America, people have intense feelings about the socio-political context that we live in with the pandemic, politics, and virtual education. Many are asking what will it take to get through this current season? Individuals who desire to be culturally responsive educators recognize this and know they must find ways to allow for constructive discourse around these topics.
But, what is a culturally responsive educator? Some folks might cite the work of authors they have read while others simplify being a culturally responsive educator to having “good relationships” with students. In fact, it seems that’s the most overused statement around culturally responsive practice, that it’s about relationships. Relationships are crucial but I see them as the end result of other elements of human engagement. Conditions have to be consistently established before relationships will exist. Here’s what I mean.
Being culturally responsive is first about trust. Students don’t engage or give their best to people that they don’t trust. In order to develop trust it takes an educator to be authentic, honest and even display levels of disclosure, or vulnerability, that they are a human just like you. For me, as a Black man, when I hear a white colleague say, “Hey, I’m a white guy / woman, and this is my perspective…”, this is a very telling moment in our relationship. This introduction tells me that they are open and honest enough to recognize that we are racial and cultural beings, they do not subscribe to the myths of color blindness, and how their personal lens impacts how they see the world. They are bringing their true selves into the space. I’ve always tried my best to be equally honest. This is key for our students as they want to be accepted for who they are and trust that you will treat them as a full human no matter what race, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, etc. Some spaces just don’t feel safe thus trust has no fertile soil for growth. We must be consistent and fair in our actions if we want relationships to bloom.
Culturally responsive teachers also demonstrate empathy. Students are students and if you’ve been in this profession long enough you know that they need grace. They mess up. We are adults and we mess up. Some come from tough circumstances. Some may have trauma. Respecting that everyone’s situation is not the same and honoring that is demonstrating empathy, particularly during this time. The fact that some students receive less grace than others is problematic and fractures the trust that I mentioned is so necessary for relationships. Do you have bias? Of course you do, because everyone does. However, does your bias lead to an empathy deficit as it relates to some students? Only you know that answer. Recognizing that differences aren’t deficits and allowing for a common humanity to exist in your space allows you to engage students in an honest and empathetic way.
Lastly, high expectations are key for being a culturally responsive educator and building relationships. Students will always meet the high or low expectations that educators set for them. Please re-read that last sentence — I want to make sure you heard me. In an effort to get the best out of all students, educators must set the bar high for them and note and reward the progress they individually make. I can’t count how many times students have come back to visit me after graduation and life experiences and have told me how they appreciate the standards and expectations that I set for them. I knew then that they were capable of reaching their full potential. Real discourse and opportunities for critical thinking will allow us to honor students and push and propel them into the future leaders and citizens of our society. The absence of expectations is the absence of a meaningful relationship.
Again, the focus on “relationships” is true, but it needs continual clarity. Relationships don’t develop out of thin air. Relationships aren’t simply about being nice. Relationships are not about you knowing every personal detail of every kid’s life. Relationships are about students knowing that you live and create space that is consistently trusting, empathy filled and holds high expectations for them to be their best selves. Do these elements exist in your practice and space? If so, you’ll be fine in this moment. If not, you’ll hide behind the content and wont allow for relationship building, critical thinking and discourse to exist.
No matter how this election season turns out or how difficult this pandemic or virtual learning continues to be, you will have left an indelible imprint in the minds of your students because you decided, or not, to create space where critical reflection and discourse around race, culture, and varying societal ideas can exist. Our students are having these conversations with or without us. This current season, and foreseeable future, wont be easy but it is recognizing our common humanity, even among potential cultural or ideological differences, that will allow us to learn about ourselves, our students, and how to be better on the other side of this.
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