What is something you have been struggling with this year that relates to CLR? What support can this community offer?

[Carrie E.]

I have talked with several ISD cadre members who would love support with implementing CLR in a Special Education classroom where students are on individualized IEP’s and can become dysregulated by changes in routine. Let’s get a discussion started with your ideas that I can share!

[Sharroky Hollie]

Agreed.

[Jen Caione]

Something that I have been struggling with is helping staff members at my school with their discomfort in trying new protocols and helping them to see that culturally responsive classrooms that validate underserved cultural behaviors such as kinesthetic and sociocentrism are not loud and chaotic, rather deliberate, intentional, welcoming, and validating. That’s where the most learning is taking place!

[GeNita Williams]

This is a blind-spot for many teachers who have a deficit mindset. Consider some of the CLR, You Can Do This Too! videos. We know that mindset is first thing that must be “tackled” but maybe IF they see how a culturally responsive classroom works then, maybe they’ll be more compelled to try? This is a tough situation, I will admit. Keep on, keeping on!🤩

[Lisa Sahasrabudhe]

I’ve been watching the videos. They are awesome! Thanks for suggesting them. Being intentional with students is also another place for continued work. Explaining the cultural “why” is vital. Thanks Dr. G!

[Jen Caione]

I have been struggling with getting staff who have not had much CLR training to be culturally and linguistically responsive. For example, our para educators who spend so much of the day with our students in the least “structured” settings.

[Carrie E.]

What tips do you have for talking with your students about the cultural behaviors in a way that leads to awareness and understanding in developmentally appropriate ways?