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As an international student, I have my own cultural identity, beliefs, and unique way of thinking. So, it becomes important for students like me that if we hope to become future educators in a foreign country, we must educate ourselves on diverse cultural perspectives. By learning about students’ identities, passions, and goals, educators can create a more inclusive learning environment that respects and values diverse ways of knowing and being. Through culturally responsive teaching, teachers should embrace students’ identities which supports the development of students’ racial and ethnic pride, leading to a deeper sense of identity and belonging, which positively impacts school engagement and academic performance. Teachers are the ones who can evoke a social change in education and can make student learning meaningful. It involves a deep understanding of the cultural backgrounds of their students, incorporating alternative assessments that reflect various cultural viewpoints, and fostering a sense of community among students from different cultural backgrounds. “There is a strong need for today’s teachers to embrace critical media literacy, critical pedagogies, and global citizenship education” (Howe, 2014 as cited in Howe et al., 2021). Transforming educators need to be aware or updated with time to cope with an increasing number of international, Indigenous, and special needs students. These students who have diverse needs require a lot of effort from educators to support their learning journey which is a challenging task for teachers.
According to me, the words ‘all my relations’ represent interconnectedness, implying that we are all socially connected in this world and rely on one another in all aspects of our lives. Not only humans, but also animals, plants, and all other living or non-living species on the planet, are dependent on each other for survival. We can incorporate this concept into our teaching practice by promoting a holistic understanding of the world and encouraging students to interact with others in meaningful ways that support well-being and harmony. We can teach our students to respect and honor these relationships and the reciprocal collective responsibilities that come with them to help and support each other in every possible way.
Howe, E. R., Johnson, S., & Te Momo, F. (2021). Effective indigenization of curriculum in Canada and New Zealand: Towards culturally responsive pedagogies. Journal of Contemporary Issues in Education, 16(1).
Yes, Meenu, your views as an international student are truly relatable to all the students as you said the vital role of culturally responsive teaching in fostering inclusive learning environments. By embracing students’ diverse cultural identities, educators can cultivate a sense of belonging and pride, enhancing engagement and academic performance. As we all want to be educators in the future, we should think about all these things that can bring change to the educational system. Moreover, the emphasis on critical media literacy and global citizenship education reflects an awareness of the evolving educational landscape and the need for teachers to adapt to diverse student needs.
I agree with your perspective, Meenu, as you highlighted the significance of multicultural environments and inclusive learning environments particularly for international students to establish careers in the field of education. Thus, I can closely relate to myself as studying at TRU gives me an environment for learning where my cultural beliefs are recognized and understood ensuring an equal platform to grow and excel in every sector. Furthermore, your emphasis on culturally responsive teachings highlights the educator’s potential to transform teaching practices to develop ethnic pride among students, which has a positive impact on students’ learning outcomes. Furthermore, your insight on the concept of “All My Relations” underscores the significance of the interdependence of all beings for survival and living respectfully in society. Overall, meaningful interactions and sharing responsibilities help develop harmony and inculcate values of cooperation and empathy among students.