Classroom Culture - Learning Focused Culture


March 2018
Classroom Culture:
Bringing out the best in students requires a fine-tuned balance of understanding, acknowledging and accepting differences. Clearly, no two students are identical in their approach to learning. The uniqueness of each individual illustrates our differences in a myriad of ways.

The diversity from the cultural representation in my classes, to the way my students learn is broad. Ensuring success of student learning at the varying levels is both challenging and rewarding.

There is no ‘one size fits all’ lesson plan. To address this constant change of information overload I have adopted the idea; that in order to learn it’s okay to make mistakes. It is the learning that comes out of these mistakes that make learning more authentic and meaningful.

Allowing these mistakes to happen in a class environment where taking a risk is encouraged is what I have promoted with my students. Building relationships where students feel free and safe to take risks and grow in their learning as a result of this is paramount.

The cultures represented in my classes include, Maori, Samoan, Tongan, Filipino, Japanese, Irish & European. Embracing cultural awareness and recognizing the benefits of inter-relational interdependence is key to developing acceptance. 

It also embraces the potential of all students. Working collaboratively and allowing students to contribute, e.g. at prayer time; reciting prayer in their first language is one of the ways I encourage inclusiveness thus acknowledging the taonga of their culture.

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