McKay School of Education > Diversity > Multicultural Education Competency

Multicultural Education Competency

What Does a Multicultural Competency Look Like?

A multicultural sensitive classroom provides every student with opportunities to achieve his or her potential.  It allows students to understand their own culture while recognizing the similarities and differences they share with other cultures and perspectives in society. 

Key components of a multicultural classroom are (1) explicit awareness of cultural influences in society, (2) academic content that is relevant to cultural groups, and (3) skills to communicate effectively across cultures. 

A common myth is that only schools with notable ethnic or racial differences need to embrace multicultural competencies.  Teachers can prepare all students to become multiculturally competent citizens in a diverse society. 

Where to Start?

Developing a multicultural approach to education is an ongoing process, not an instantaneous accomplishment.  There is no limit to how multicultural competent you can become because there is always room for improvement.  The following are some suggestions for ongoing development of a multiculturally sensitive classroom:

• Evaluate the methods, books, and curriculum you use.  Check to see if your lesson plans and text books offer a variety of perspectives and ideas on concepts. 
• Engage the students in the learning process.  Find out what they know, what they would like to know, and explore different perspectives together.
• Ask probing and critical questions to yourself and students to gain an understanding of where and how they received their information on certain subjects.
• Critically evaluate historical views from different perspectives. Relate concepts to the students’ lives in society right now. 
• Understand the various cultures of students in your classroom and understand how the differences or similarities may affect your classroom and instruction.

Learn Your Own Biases and Gain an Awareness of Other Cultures

Self-awareness is an essential skill.  As you understand your own culture and the biases you may have about other cultures, you will be able to maintain positive relationships with others.  This includes an investigation of your own values, practices, and beliefs surrounded by culture. 

Knowledge about others’ cultures is also essential.  Learn the values, practices, and beliefs of other cultures.  In doing so, you will be able to see the similarities and differences you share with other cultures.  Everyone has a culture, not just people who are different from you. 

Incorporate Diverse Methods of Teaching

Multiculturally competent educators provide a variety of perspectives on the subject matter they teach. This not only fosters critical thinking skills but also enables students to gain a greater understanding of the subject.  The following are ways to facilitate this type of atmosphere.

• Incorporate a variety of activities
• Invite speakers to talk about specific topics
• Provide a wide range of videos that students will be able to see different perspectives from
• Provide field experiences
• Use a variety of books, art, and music
• Encourage students to critically think and evaluate different experiences

 

Additional Resources

• How Multicultural is Your School?
  With ideas for universal school improvement, this website can help educators evaluate the level of multicultural competency their school possesses. It includes checklists of multicultural standards for school wide programming, teaching practices, community relations, and professional development.

• Multicultural Education 101
  This website breaks multicultural education competency into a six-step process. These steps include: awareness of differences, cultural self-awareness, awareness of social context, cultural knowledge, cultural curiosity, and commitment to social justice.
  

• Working Definition of Multicultural Education
  This site provides guidelines and goals for multicultural education.

• Strategies for Teaching the Value of Diversity
  Ideas and a lesson plan from one teacher implementing diversity issues into her classroom curriculum.

• Worldwise Schools
  Lesson on many diversity issues for students of all ages.