What Is Culturally Responsive Teaching?

In today’s increasingly diverse classrooms, a one-size-fits-all teaching approach is no longer effective. According to UNESCO, over 258 million children and youth globally come from multicultural and multilingual backgrounds. In the U.S., for example, students of color now make up more than 50% of the public school population. Yet many educational systems still rely on standardized methods that overlook cultural differences. This gap can lead to disengagement, underachievement, and inequity in education. That’s where Culturally Responsive Teaching (CRT) comes in. It is a pedagogical approach that acknowledges and embraces students’ cultures, languages, and experiences, relating them to classroom learning and empowering students to share their thoughts and perspectives.

What Is Culturally Responsive Teaching?

Culturally Responsive Teaching is an educational framework that leverages the cultural knowledge, prior experiences, and performance styles of diverse students. This helps make learning more effective and relevant. First introduced by education scholar Gloria Ladson-Billings in the 1990s, CRT goes beyond surface-level multiculturalism. It’s not just about celebrating holidays or eating ethnic food. It’s also about reshaping curriculum, teaching strategies, and classroom interactions to be inclusive and affirming of all students.

Benefits of Culturally Responsive Teaching:

Implementing CRT in the classroom results in several tangible benefits:

Higher Student Engagement– When students see their culture, language, or experiences reflected in lessons, they naturally feel more connected and interested. They’re more likely to speak up, ask questions, and take part in activities because the learning feels personal and relevant.

Improved Academic Performance– CRT has been linked to better test scores, increased attendance, and higher graduation rates. When students feel included and supported, they perform better.

Stronger Teacher-Student Relationships– In the education sector when teachers make the effort to understand where students come from, it builds mutual respect and trust. This stronger connection makes students feel safe and supported, leading to better communication and cooperation in class.

Greater Cultural Competence– Students aren’t just learning academics they’re also learning how to understand and respect people who are different from them. This helps them develop empathy, open-mindedness, and skills they’ll need in today’s diverse world.

Reduction in Bias and Discrimination– By challenging stereotypes and creating a welcoming space for all cultures, CRT helps reduce prejudices in the classroom. It encourages fairness and teaches students to treat everyone with respect no matter their background.

Why Does It Matters?

The impact of ignoring students’ cultural identities can be profound. Studies show that students who don’t feel represented in the classroom are more likely to disengage, drop out, or underperform. CRT challenges these outcomes by affirming every student’s sense of belonging and worth. Moreover, culturally responsive education prepares students for the real world, where intercultural collaboration is key. It encourages critical thinking, open dialogue, and respect for others—skills that are essential in both the workplace and society.

How can education sectors use it?

1) Professional Development for Educators– To create an inclusive learning environment, educators must be trained to identify and address cultural biases, incorporate culturally responsive teaching methods, and foster respectful classroom dialogue. For example, a school might organize workshops where teachers explore case studies of implicit bias, then collaborate to redesign lesson plans that are inclusive of multiple cultural perspectives. This not only builds awareness but also offers practical strategies to promote equity in the classroom.

2) Diversifying Curriculum Content– IRevise the curriculum to include literature, historical events, scientific contributions, and achievements from a variety of cultures, regions, and backgrounds. This promotes empathy, cultural appreciation, and a more accurate worldview. Like while teaching world history, educators can incorporate stories of African kingdoms, Indigenous resistance movements, or the contributions of Asian scientists.

3) Community and Family Engagement– Encouraging active participation from parents and local communities helps bridge cultural gaps and creates a sense of belonging. Hosting multicultural events, language-accessible parent-teacher conferences, and community-led storytelling sessions can enrich students’ learning and build mutual respect.

4) Hiring Diverse Staff– Employing teachers, counselors, and administrators from diverse cultural, racial, and linguistic backgrounds ensures students see themselves reflected in leadership and builds a culturally affirming school climate. For example, a bilingual teacher from a local minority community may not only teach but also act as a cultural liaison, helping students and parents navigate the education system with greater comfort and trust.

5) Policy and Leadership Support– Strong leadership is essential to sustain culturally responsive education. School boards and administrators should integrate these practices into their strategic goals, allocate budgets for inclusive programs, and assess progress through equity-focused metrics. This might include setting hiring benchmarks or implementing anti-bias training as part of annual evaluations.

Culturally responsive teaching is about making every student feel included and respected, no matter their background. It helps teachers connect better with students, keeps learning meaningful, and creates a classroom where everyone can feel valued.