Culturally Responsive Pedagogy in Action for Teaching ELLs

Abstract

My fundamental thinking on the issues and ideas in educating EL students are influenced by two courses EDUC 3530: Foundations for Teaching English Language Learners by Prof. Lisa Pray and EDUC 3590.01: Issues in ELL Education: Research, Policy, and Instruction of English Learners by Prof. Robert Jiménez. Through these two courses I have been familiarized with the changing demographics of public schools in the US and the challenges and needs of students learning English while learning content knowledge. It was Prof. Henry Milner who first introduced the concept of Culturally Responsive Pedagogy in the course EDUC 3900.01.2: Culturally Responsive Pedagogy. Prof. Milner also deeply influenced me with his compassion and care for the wellbeing and success of African American students. I have carried this compassion and care when I work with English learning students. My methodology in this project was shaped by the course EDUC.3170.01: Analysis of Teaching where Prof. Catherine McTamaney equipped me with a critical perspective in analyzing school setting, classroom environment and teacher discourse.