EDUC 542 Culturally Responsive Teaching

An introduction to the culturally responsive teaching pedagogy that acknowledges, responds to, and celebrates cultural differences and offers equitable educational access to students from all cultural backgrounds. Students will explore the dynamics of race, class, and culture and how they affect diverse school populations.

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

This course provides the candidate with an overview of culturally responsive teaching, and examines the power of culturally responsive caring as an essential part of the educational process.

Textbook Readings and Lecture Presentations

No details available.

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the teacher candidate will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (4)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the candidate will collaborate in his/her quest to understand how collaborative discussions in the classrooms can facilitate problem-based learning and improve student achievement. Additionally, the candidate should develop a deeper understanding of the issues surrounding equality versus equity in the nation’s classrooms, while integrating a biblical worldview. The initial thread for each Discussion must be at least 300 words. The candidate must reply to at least 2 classmates’ threads using at least 150 words (for each reply). (CLO: A, C, E, F)

Journal Critique Assignments (3)

The candidate will develop an understanding of current research related to culturally responsive teaching practices, issues surrounding equity in education, and student talk. The candidate will research 1 article (5 years old or less) that addresses a topic pertaining to culturally responsive teaching and learning, specific to the Module: Week assigned. The paper has a 225-250 word limit with in-text citations and references in APA format. (CLO: A, B, C, D, E)

Designing with Intelligence – AI Assisted Unit Plan & Teacher Presentation Assignment

The candidate will create a 5-day culturally responsive unit plan using Microsoft 365 Copilot (no minimum word count required). The candidate will refine the AI-generated draft to align with CRT principles and present key CRT practices in a teacher-focused PowerPoint presentation in 6-8 slides. Current APA guidelines for citations or references must be included for both the unit plan and the presentation. (CLO: A, B, C, D, E)

Research to Practice Presentation Assignment

The candidate will develop a presentation for a group of stakeholders (parents, Board of Education, teachers, etc.) where he/she will introduce the group to culturally relevant practices: implementation ideas, relevance, impact on student performance, and biblical connection. The PowerPoint presentation should be 20-25 minutes in length, and it should include a minimum of 4 scholarly references and at least 1 relevant Bible verse. All references and in-text citations must follow current APA guidelines. (CLO: B, C, D, E, F)

Topic Analysis Paper Assignment

The candidate will analyze how a culturally responsive practice has changed over time by contrasting 1 major academic book on cultural responsiveness (older than 5 years) with 2 current journal articles (published within the last 5 years) that cite the academic book to see how current authors are building on the idea of the authors of the book. The Topic Analysis Paper must be between 3 and 4 pages, be in current APA format, and contain at least 1 citation from the textbook review and 2 citations from a scholarly journal. (CLO: A, B, C)

Critical Reflection on AI and CRT Assignment

The candidate will write a critical reflection (1000–1250 words) analyzing the use of AI with Microsoft Copilot to support culturally responsive instruction, addressing the process, tools, outcomes, and broader instructional, ethical, and professional implications. The paper is to be in current APA format with at least 4 references, including 1 relevant Bible verse, and citations properly formatted. (CLO: A, B, C, D)