It Wasn’t Enough to Just Be Latina, My Students Needed Me to Be Culturally Competent

Steps I Have Taken to Become Culturally Competent

1. Understanding my culture.

   As an educator, it is necessary to ask, “How do my beliefs impact the interactions I have with my students?” This process may (and should) cause some discomfort. We need to become aware of our biases and actively work to change them.

   For example, as a Latina educator I have to think about, what does being a Latina in the United States mean to me? What has my educational experience as a Latina taught me? And how have these experiences shaped my worldview? It is vital to reflect upon our values and beliefs.

2. Understanding the culture of my students.

   Most of us became educators because we want to have an impact on our students. What better way to connect with our students than to understand their cultures? Culture does not necessarily have to refer to countries of origin. Culture is subjective.

   If you want to know about your students' cultures, just ask. I recommend having students complete a culture chart. This is a simple yet effective activity in which students get to write down the cultures that they are a part of and what being a part of that culture means to them. You will be surprised to see how much you have in common with your students and may find ways to reach students you did not previously think you had anything in common with.

3. Build Relationships.

   It seems obvious that educators should have positive relationships with their students, but not all educators are interested in connecting with their students. Without relationships, misinterpretation can occur as well as negative perceptions from both educators and students. Positive relationships, however, demonstrate care, which can have a monumental impact on students.