Culture
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Teaching Multicultural Children
English Language Learners at Deburgos Middle School are often from the neighborhood, have older siblings that attended the school, and know many teachers already. For them loss of identity, culture, or sense of community is usually not a concern. However family expectations of academic success is lacking for some.
It is the habits, priorities, and values of Latino households that may not be represented in classrooms. Many students naturally are not comfortable nor enthusiastic about spending 6 or 7 hours a day in unfamiliar settings with people who don't look like or behave as they do. I rely somewhat on body language yet now see that their nonverbal responses sometimes have very different interpretations.
One of my challenge is to respect the cultural differences. The navy calls this "Getting to know your people and looking out for their welfare." Part of this is simply remaining patient and realizing that I have cultural biases and norms that I have to communicate honestly about. The goal is to be respect and professional so as to model responsibility and leadership.
English Language Learners at Deburgos Middle School are often from the neighborhood, have older siblings that attended the school, and know many teachers already. For them loss of identity, culture, or sense of community is usually not a concern. However family expectations of academic success is lacking for some.
It is the habits, priorities, and values of Latino households that may not be represented in classrooms. Many students naturally are not comfortable nor enthusiastic about spending 6 or 7 hours a day in unfamiliar settings with people who don't look like or behave as they do. I rely somewhat on body language yet now see that their nonverbal responses sometimes have very different interpretations.
One of my challenge is to respect the cultural differences. The navy calls this "Getting to know your people and looking out for their welfare." Part of this is simply remaining patient and realizing that I have cultural biases and norms that I have to communicate honestly about. The goal is to be respect and professional so as to model responsibility and leadership.