WHAT IS DIVERSITY PEDAGOGY?

Diversity Pedagogy Theory (DPT) is a set of principles that point out the natural and inseparable connection between culture and cognition (Sheets, 2005). In other words, to be effective as a teacher, you must understand and acknowledge the critical role culture plays in the teachinglearning process.

DPT maintains that culturally inclusive teachers (a) observe children's cultural behavioral patterns to identify individual and group cultural competencies and skills; and (b) use this knowledge to guide their teaching decisions. Culturally competent teachers facilitate learning. They understand how to change and adapt instruction. These teachers create optimal learning conditions which enable more children to learn what they intend to teach.

This article introduces Diversity Pedagogy Theory, describes the structural aspects of DPT, and examines the relationship among culture, cognition, teaching, and learning. It provides classroom vignettes explicating the theory in practice and provides suggestions for classroom applications. In the conclusion, I ask that you consider the importance of becoming conscious of your thinking habits and I encourage you to begin and evolve into a culturally competent educator.

Diversity Pedagogy Theory

As a new teacher, or even as an experienced teacher, you begin your career (or each new school year) with mixed degrees of delight and stress or uncertainty and excitement. You quickly realize that mastering the art of teaching is at once challenging and developmental. You realize that your potential to move from the novice stage to an expert level, in terms of cultural competency, depends on your capacity (a) to perceive diversity as the norm, and, as such, fundamental to all aspects of the teaching-learning process, and (b) to understand the importance of gaining knowledge about the diverse cultures represented in your classroom.

As you develop as an educator, you will learn to critically evaluate the cultural origins of the activities you practice and familiar routines you establish. You will become consciously aware whether your teaching decisions simultaneously benefit some children while disadvantaging others. DPT will provide you with an organized set of pedagogical tools to help you develop desirable dispositions, gain a culturally inclusive knowledge base, and learn culturally responsive methods to craft culturally responsive lessons. This article introduces you to the principles of DPT.

Linking Culture to Pedagogy

DPT links culture, cognition, and schooling in...