My students and I celebrate our cultures through discussions, academics and food. Each person brings a dish from their culture, explains how the dish became a part of their culture and shares information about their culture. I use this activity for cultural awareness as it relates to transition into postsecondary studies or into the world of work.
It is imperative educators refrain from biases and judgment of the cultures of our students. It is not our responsibility to judge the culture of our students – rather, it is our responsibility to have knowledge of it, respect it and, if necessary, use it to assist in the building of a solid academic foundation.
When educators and students lack knowledge and understanding of culture, teaching and learning cease to occur – and disrespect and biases surface. As Christian educators, we should pray for our students. Jesus was aghast there was no one to intercede on his behalf (Isaiah 59:16). We should not judge the culture of our students, but rather intercede on their behalf so that one day their culture becomes a culture of choice, not circumstance.
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More About Faith:
Faith Brown is a native of Florence, South Carolina, an LD resource teacher and department chair for the Exceptional Education Program at West Florence High School in Florence, South Carolina. Faith also serves on the PBIS Committee at West Florence High School and is a member of the Florence One Transition Alliance Team. Faith has been employed with Florence School District One for 20 years. She is the proud mother of Pierre Brown, an information technology instructional coach for Lee County School District, in Bishopville, South Carolina.
Faith is a 2013 graduate of Grand Canyon University with a Master of Education in Special Education: Cross Categorical. Faith also has a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Coker College in Hartsville, South Carolina.
Faith enjoys reading, singing, meeting new people and spending time with family.