Guidelines for
Educators
Classroom teachers are responsible for
drawing upon Elders and other cultural experts
in the surrounding community to make sure all
resource materials and learning activities are
culturally accurate and appropriate.
Teachers may increase their cultural responsiveness through
the following actions:
a. Learn how to use local ways of knowing and teaching to
link the knowledge base of the school to that of the
community.
b. Make effective use of local expertise, especially Elders, as
co-teachers whenever local cultural knowledge is being
addressed in the curriculum.
c. Take steps to recognize and validate all aspects of the
knowledge students bring with them, and assist them in
their on-going quest for personal and cultural affirmation.
d. Develop the observation and listening skills necessary to
acquire an in-depth understanding of the knowledge
system indigenous to the local community and apply that
understanding in teaching practice.
e. Carefully review all curriculum resource materials to
insure cultural accuracy and appropriateness.
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