With growing diversity around us, the importance of cultural education has become increasingly evident. Educators at every level—from elementary through high school classrooms, language programs, university lecture halls, and even athletic fields—are recognizing the profound impact that cultural awareness can have on students' lives. In this ongoing Educator Spotlights series, Voices from the Classroom and Beyond: Cultural Education at Every Level, we will continuously feature the insights and experiences of educators, administrators, mentors, coaches, and more. Their unique perspectives help shed light on the vital role that cultural education plays and how it equips students with the skills and understanding needed to thrive in an increasingly diverse world and shape a more inclusive future.
With over twenty years of experience in educational administration both in the U.S. and abroad, I’ve thought deeply about what it means for our children to become global citizens. One thing I have come to understand is that as our world grows increasingly interconnected, it is crucial that students develop cultural awareness and a global mindset. While this might seem easier at schools with a more diverse student body, any school can create a worldly classroom environment. Here are a few ideas to help you get started.
Students and teachers bring a tremendous diversity that can be shared and celebrated. Family traditions, holidays, and cuisines are just the beginning of how we can honor and preserve our collective heritage. Reach out to parents and grandparents to bring their unique traditions and experiences into your classroom. You might be surprised by the diversity that exists within your own community.
At our school, we choose a global theme each year to guide our curriculum and instruction. This theme allows us to create strong connections between different subjects. Take for example our recent theme of water. We explored its collection and distribution throughout history and used science and math to find ways to measure and collect rainwater. From a global perspective, we examined how children in some parts of the world must support their families by spending hours each day collecting water, which impacts their ability to attend school. This approach helps students make links between circumstances, challenges, and opportunities to make change.
Understanding challenges faced by others around the world helps students appreciate the benefits and difficulties in their own lives. For instance, a class might look at hunger. What does it mean to be hungry? And how does limited access to quality food affect a student's growth and well-being? Where might students encounter hunger in their own community? Though the topic is broad, students should be able to make associations from global issues to local issues.
What does it mean to be a responsible global citizen? This question can lead to rich discussions about the choices we make and the impact of those choices on others. Other examples of questions to guide discussions might include, how can we show respect and kindness toward people we have never met? And how do our environmental choices affect people around the world? By examining these issues, students develop a deeper understanding of their own power and responsibility.
We spend much of our lives working in collaborative environments, but collaboration isn’t always easy, and in our classrooms it must be introduced at developmentally appropriate levels. Collaboration across grade levels is an often underutilized, but highly fruitful way to build school community and introduce novel learning experiences. For example, our school uses a house system that brings together students from different grade levels to work on joint projects. The strength of relationships built across grades has been beyond our expectations. Collaboration can also take place between partner schools, which can offer shared opportunities for students with others across the country and even around the world.
We all recognize the value of extending learning beyond the classroom walls. When planning such experiences, consider how cultural diversity can be woven into them. For instance, a museum docent might highlight the works and stories of a specific culture, a historical reenactment could focus on minority perspectives, or even trying a new food on a field trip could be a cultural experience. Always look for cultural components that can add depth to the learning.
We know that children are naturally curious. Encourage their curiosity through opportunities to explore other cultures, experience traditions different from their own, and share what makes them unique. These activities help them develop an appreciation for the world’s diversity and grounds their place within it.
Building global and cultural competency in our children isn’t difficult, but it requires intention and consistency. How will you create a more culturally and globally diverse classroom experience?
Help support the development and creation of the cultural education curriculum by making a tax-deductible donation.
Make a Donation