Teachers’ perceptions and beliefs of incorporating culturally relevant pedagogies for students of color in an elementary school

Research and educational applications regarding culturally relevant pedagogy have shown that educators, especially white educators, need to be intentional about their instructional practices when teaching their diverse student bodies. Self-awareness, self-reflection, and recognition of human diversity (Ladson-Billings, 1995; Gay, 2002; Young 2010) can be seen specifically as elements within culturally relevant pedagogy that educators can use to address the needs of students of color. The work of the researchers in the literature review in developing theories around culturally relevant practices is crucial in helping these elements to become engrained in the intentional instructional practices of the educators and the study found that many of the elements for teachers is not sustained in their descriptions of their instructional practices. Teachers in the study were interviewed to ascertain if their instructional practices sustained culturally relevant work from one point in the school year to another. In interviewing teachers, their practices as well as their understanding of their practices, adjusts depending on their situations and what they allow themselves to fall back upon when challenges arise. For some that experience stressful, traumatic instances, self-preservation can be seen as the result rather than the needs of the students. With some intentional supports and professional development, culturally relevant pedagogy can be found in their descriptions of practice and the examples that they provide.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ed.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Educ Policy, Orgzn & Leadrshp

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2024

Author dc:creator

• Pope, Jason

Contributors dc:contributor

• Pak, Yoon
• Roegman, Rachel
• Hale, Jon
• Rice, Patrick

• Diversity
• Elementary Education
• Equity
• Elementary
• Culturally Relevant Pedagogy
• Education
• Culturally Responsive Pedagogy
• Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2024 Jason Pope

Language dc:language

en, eng

Handle dc:identifier

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/127307

OAI record oai:identifier

https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=etdms&identifier=oai%3Awww.ideals.illinois.edu%3A2142%2F127307