Sensitivity

The culturally competent teacher communicates in ways that demonstrate sensitivity yo sociocultural and linguistic differences, using a variety of verbal and non-verbal communication techniques that encourage positive social interaction and support leaning in their classroom.

I personally have experienced something like this throughout the weeks i have been volunteering at the elementary school. Upon ending each group session I would leave about 5 minutes for the children to talk about whatever they want. One little boy in one of my groups was always so eager to share what he would be doing this weekend. All the children opened up so well when they were able to share with the others what they were going to be doing. Each child had some kind of plans whether it be with family members or friends. During our group talks each child sits and waits for their turn to talk. They show respect for all the members of the group.

In the classroom from what i could see the teachers try to relate as much as possible to the children. They are always open to hear what the children have to say. I also noticed that the teachers are very focused on getting all the children to focus on using manners and respecting the other students. Whenever a child has a problem the teachers show that they care and they try to help in anyway possible to resolve the conflict in the best way possible.

I would relate these types of situations to the work of Megan Boler. In her piece entitled "All Speech is Not Free: The Ethics of Affirmative Action Pedagogy", Boler discusses how people no matter their color, race or ethnicity should be able to be heard by all people. She states in the writing "...the classroom is one of the few public spaces in which one can respond and be heard." This statement right here is something that i have seen while working in the school. The teachers of the classroom have always been open to listening to all the students and responding to them in the best way they can. Throughout this piece of work Boler goes into depth about how as teachers we need to provide a place for students to feel comfortable enough to speak out and while doing so to be respected and heard by all others in the classroom.

As I progress into my teaching identity I plan on trying to embrace the work of Boler as much as I can. Her beliefs about having all people heard equally is also something I believe needs to be done especially in a classroom.