Date of Award
Summer 2025
Document Type
Open Access Dissertation
Department
Educational Studies
First Advisor
Spencer Platt
Abstract
Core content teachers at S Middle School participate in a study that reveals how increased cultural competency levels among 7th-grade core content teachers positively influences their instructional practices. The increased cultural competency led to a more inclusive and effective learning environment across all core content areas. Throughout the study, teachers reflected on their own cultural identities while also considering the diverse cultural backgrounds of their students in each class period. As a result, teachers gained a deeper understanding of how cultural factors shape students' learning experiences and needs. The participants adjusted their teaching strategies to better connect with and support their students, incorporating culturally responsive practices that fostered student engagement. This process of reflection and adaptation allowed teachers to cultivate an inclusive classroom environment where every student felt included in the curriculum. The findings support the importance of cultural competency in shaping teaching practices that effectively address the diverse needs of students in today's classrooms.
Rights
© 2025, Martin Sims
Recommended Citation
Sims, M.(2025). Cultural Competency of Teachers and Its Effect on Their Instructional Practices. (Doctoral dissertation). Retrieved from https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/etd/8411