Culturally Proficient Instruction: A Guide for People Who Teach

by Kikanza J. Nuri Robins, Delores B. Lindsey, Randall B. Lindsey

Are you doing all you can to improve teaching and learning?

Culturally proficient instruction is the result of an inside-out journey of teaching and learning during which you explore your values and behaviors while evaluating the policies and practices of your workplace. The journey deepens your understanding of yourself and your community of practice. In the newest version of their best-selling book, the authors invite you to reflect on how you engage with your students and your colleagues as a community of learners. The third edition features a case study to show cultural proficiency in practice

An updated discussion of standards-based education guidelinesA conceptual framework for the tools of cultural proficiencyNew language for understanding the microaggressions of dominant cultures An integrated guide for use with study groupsEach chapter contains reflective activities and group work conducive to collaborative professional development. Culturally Proficient Instruction is invaluable for anyone dedicated to creating an environment in which all learners can succeed. 

Genres: Teaching, Education

224 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 23, 2001

Reviews

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very ehhhh. I was expecting more of an in-depth look and culturally proficient pedagogy and instead, it was mostly a very base-level treatment of the topic. I guess this would be a good starter book if you have no idea what you're doing and need to be eased into things, but I only found a few things in there helpful. There might be a couple activities worth trying out, but it was mostly a waste of time.

[Melissa Twisdale · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very superficial review of what it means to be a culturally proficient teacher and I noticed an incorrect spelling of a highly esteemed researcher- one of my personal favorites: Anthony Bryk (spelled Byrk in the book) who has informed much of my research on the role of trust and belief in the evolution of collective efficacy. This was misspelled in the text citation, reference section and the index- very disappointing.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent. Motivational.

[Woodrós · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book provides a practical, internally-focused lens to examine the impact of one's own cultural background and how it impacts oneself as a teacher and a person. It is aimed at practicing teachers, and provides space in the book itself for reflection and writing, if the reader chooses to use that space.

The students in my class with me preferred it to our other text, so it is likely a more palatable - yet still deep and meaningful - tool for deeply considering issues of race.

I personally liked the second half of the book more than the first half. I found the descriptions of conflict management options phenomenally helpful.

I would strongly recommend this book for a PLC to use or for other use by teachers in a group setting (book club, etc). It provides a thoughtful yet non-confrontational way to think deeply about the impact of race and other cultural valences on one's self, practice, and students.

[Kimberly]

Fall 2008 Diversity Class

[Jocelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the theory and the workbook style. Didn't like how it was pasted together with examples from fictional education settings. I will be reflecting on the content of this book for years to come.