Maria Michael

12/6/2020

Dr. Mortenson

Final Reflection

Throughout the semester I have learned new ideas and will apply them in my future

classroom. As a future educator communication is imperative. In the future, I want to have

positive communication with teachers, parents, and students. Teachers who have good

communication skills are able to guide their students in the right direction. Culture was

something really important I learned this semester. My main goal in the classroom is to promote

my student’s different cultures. Another idea I will be using in the future is making my

classroom comfortable enough to honor students’ voices and ideas. Before taking this class, I

was not familiar with a Culturally responsive classroom. In my future classroom I will be

promoting a culturally responsive classroom. A culturally responsive classroom promotes

students’ culture which makes them belong in the classroom. In a culturally responsive

classroom students are able to share experiences. Culturally responsive writing helps students

strengthen their understanding on culture and their own writing.

Communication with parents is imperative because parents are able to tell me about their

background. They are even able to tell me if there is anything important going on in the student’s

life. By communicating with parents, I am also able to tell them about their child’s strengths and

weaknesses. In the article, “Why is It important for Teachers to have Good Communication

Skills” it states that teachers must be able to express themselves verbally and in writing to report

their students progress. “They need to explain the strengths and weaknesses of their students so
that parents will understand the message and be receptive rather than defensive. This is

especially important when the teacher conveys a difficult message about the student's

misbehavior or learning problems.” (Silver, Freddie, 2008.). Writing or talking with parents

regularly is something teachers need to be comfortable with. Communicating with students

shows that you care for them. “They get to know their students' hopes, fears and preferences

and communicate this knowledge to their students. They communicate their appreciation for

what their students do by celebrating their successes and constantly encouraging them.”

(Silver, Freddie, 2008.). Constantly encouraging and speaking in a positive tone to students

will make them feel interested in your class. From day one of being in the classroom I will be

communicating with other teachers. “Schools that see themselves as professional learning

communities encourage teachers to plan lessons together and learn from one another. They

take a team approach when problem-solving, especially for difficult students. This all requires

excellent communication.” (Silver, Freddie, 2008.). This is important because experienced

teachers will guide you through a successful first year. Other teachers can also help make your

students weaknesses turn into strengths. Lastly, honoring students’ voices in the classroom Is

important for classroom engagement. English language learners must have a voice in the

classroom. Family engagement is needed to teach English language learners effectively.

“Through this type of teacher–family collaboration, you can plan together how to weave

linguistic and cultural information into activities at school and at home.” (Magruder, S.

Elizabeth, January 2019.). The teacher must embrace a dual language program in their class by

welcoming different cultures in their classroom.

A culturally responsive classroom represents the students’ own culture in the classroom.

Throughout the semester I have learned that it Is important for students to engage in their
cultures. A culturally responsive classroom was a major idea I learned from this class. A way

they can engage with their cultures Is through writing. For example, I would have students

engage in a social studies writing assignment based on culture. In the article “Culturally

Responsive Teaching in Today’s Classrooms” it states that when including culture and

embracing culture when teaching will value each student. “ Since culture is a huge part of a

person’s identity, when we include student culture in daily instruction, we teach the whole child.

We empower the child to capitalize on their uniqueness and individualism. And we foster a love

of diversity.” (Gonzalez, Valentina, 2018.). When students start to share about their culture in the

classroom, they educate their peers on their culture. They also become socially aware of what

goes in the current world. This helps all students become familiar with different cultures and

their uniqueness. Self-importance is a big part of a culturally responsive classroom. By

promoting self-importance teachers can promote visuals based on students culture. In my future

classroom I will have different types of visuals based on my students’ cultures. I will also

include books in my student’s languages that they speak. This will benefit English Language

Learners. A culturally responsive classroom can benefit them in their present life and future.

This semester this class has taught me a huge importance of how culture, communication,

and honoring students voices has an impact in the classroom. In my future classroom these are

all ideas/ goals I find myself using.

CITES:
Gonzalez, V. (2018, January 05). Culturally Responsive Teaching in Today's Classrooms.
Retrieved December 2nd, 2020, from https://ncte.org/blog/2018/01/culturally-responsive-
teaching-todays-classrooms/

MAGRUDER, E. S. (2019, January). Many Languages, One Classroom: Supporting Children in

Silver, F. (2018, July 01). Why Is It Important for Teachers to Have Good Communication
Skills? Retrieved December 02, 2020, from https://work.chron.com/important-teachers-
good-communication-skills-10512.html