From the National Equity Project Blog:
1) Commit to knowing your students well — academically, socially, and emotionally. Learn about their families, cultures, and interests. Ask questions, talk with parents, community members and colleagues, read books, watch movies, listen to music. Make home visits, or create opportunities for students to share and celebrate their family traditions and cultures (and never underestimate the power of the positive phone call home). Be aware of different worldviews, and learn about the ‘collectivistic-individualistic continuum’. Be explicit and talk to your students about ‘code-switching’ – the choices we make in how we talk and present ourselves. Help students to know when and why it is appropriate, while valuing their home culture and language.
