Culturally Responsive Teaching with Sommer Jabbar

In this episode, we (Mark Raffler and Sarah Shoemaker) chat with Sommer Jabbar about culturally responsive teaching.  Sommer is a D(BEI) - Diversity, Belonging, Equity Inclusion Project Coordinator at Kent ISD. We chat about what culturally responsive teaching is and how it looks in our classrooms as well as share some resources that educators will find useful no matter their role in the school setting.  We conclude by asking that you provide us with the topics and questions you want to know more about as we proceed with the podcast format.  Here is a quick unpacking of the conversation:

Sommer addresses where to start with culturally responsive teaching. She delves into the inside out approach that is necessary to tackle this work around identity and emphasizes the fact that culturally responsive teaching is ongoing work.  “Give yourself grace to grow and go forward.”  

Mark and Sommer discuss key concepts of culturally responsive teaching and responding to the needs of those we are serving.  Sommer discusses ways to best serve stakeholders through “mirrors and windows.”  We want to make sure every day that students have opportunities to see themselves in the classroom.  

Sommer elaborates on what culturally responsive teaching looks like and sounds like to include what it should feel like as her and Sarah dive into practical applications for the classroom.  Intentionality is a key as we let the thought of different does not mean deficit resonate with our listeners.

Sommer Jabbar talks about discomfort and utilizing resources as you work to overcome the discomfort.  Start with an implicit bias test.  Several other websites and books related to culturally responsive teaching are shared as well.

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We wrap up this episode by reminding listeners that your voice matters!  Please visit bit.ly/LLCNtopics to tell us what you want to future podcasts to focus on in relation to literacy.

All resources in this LLCN Brief (and future 2020-2021 podcasts) can be found at:  bit.ly/LLCNresources  Subscribe to the Literacy Leadership and Coaches Network podcasts here: anchor.fm/llcnbrief or your favorite podcast platform

Please note the audio used as an introduction and in transitions in this podcast is under the Creative Common License and attribution is given as follows:
Medicine by WinnieTheMoog
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/6256-medicine
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/