Culturally responsive education, especially in international schools, is an approach that recognizes and values students' diverse cultural backgrounds, integrating their unique experiences and identities into the learning process. This method aims to make education more inclusive and engaging by connecting academic content to students' cultural contexts, thereby enhancing their motivation and success.
In this episode, we have an insightful talk with MaryAnn De Rosa, a progressive educator with over 20 years of experience as a lead classroom teacher, special educator instructional, and SEL equity coach. She holds a doctorate from Northeastern University, focusing on social justice, equity, and education.
MaryAnn talks about how educators approach assessments to ensure fair evaluation while still observing cultural values and the strategies in place for the practices teachers implement to incorporate the community into curricula. She also discusses the core culturally responsive teaching crucial for incorporating AI to foster an inclusive environment for learners.
Timestamps:
[04:18] 🌟 MaryAnn’s Passionate Juggling Act: Discover how MaryAnn gracefully manages her out-of-passion duties, weaving them into her daily life like a skilled acrobat on a tightrope.
[05:26] 🎨 Designing Curricula: A Canvas of Possibilities: Explore the infinite palette of perfectly designed curricula, where educators blend creativity, pedagogy, and innovation to create masterpieces that inspire and empower learners.
[07:19] 🚀 Iterating Toward Excellence: Uncover the strategic maneuvers educators employ to minimize iterations, transforming challenges into stepping stones toward educational excellence.
[08:50] 🌍 Cultural Compass: Fair Evaluations and Respect: Navigating the delicate balance between fair evaluations and cultural values, educators chart a course that honors diversity and promotes equitable learning experiences.
[11:52] 🤖 Teaching with Heart and AI: Delve into the heart of culturally responsive teaching, where educators infuse AI with empathy, understanding, and cultural context to create an inclusive classroom ecosystem.
[13:40] 🌱 Community Threads in the Curriculum Tapestry: Witness how teachers weave community engagement into the educational fabric, fostering connections, empathy, and shared purpose.
[17:45] 🎶 MaryAnn’s Melodic Muse: Listen to the lyrical notes of MaryAnn’s creative song—a harmonious blend of passion, purpose, and pedagogy that resonates across the educational landscape. 🎵✨
Notable quotes:
 "Learning is a path to liberation and transformation.”Â
 "We need to merge curriculum so all students learn everyone's stories, not just the Western canon or marginalized histories. This helps reduce polarization and fosters a more inclusive understanding."
 "Recognize inequity in every story. Always identify what's missing and where the gaps are.”
Let’s ConnectÂ
Dr.MaryAnne DeRosaÂ
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryann-derosa/
Website: https://www.maryannderosa.com/
Twitter: https://x.com/MA_DeR0sa/status/1591169350631043072
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mary.a.derosa.1
Connect with Dr. Dana Specker Watts:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/teachwatts
Connect with Mike Pierre:
More Resources:
Head over to iss.edu/events to see future PD's that ISS is offering for the SY 22-23.
Join the Diversity Collaborative platform-https://info.iss.edu/sign-up-diversity-collaborative
Head over to https://seniaacademy.org/link/0S40Ne to check out inclusion education practices for individuals with disabilities and ensure their potential is fully maximized.
Please visit inspirecitizens.org to register for the Global Citizenship
Are you looking forward to a successful career to teach anywhere in the world? Head over to https://moreland.edu/ for online innovative education programs.