Date of Award

Summer 2025

Document Type

Open Access Dissertation

Department

Educational Studies

First Advisor

Rebecca Morgan

Abstract

This research study aimed to address the impact of teaching concepts of culturally responsive pedagogy on teachers’ understanding of their implicit biases. Additionally, it examined the impact that professional development training utilizing culturally responsive teaching (CRT) methods have on teachers working with multilingual learners (MLs). The research questions were: (1) What is the impact of teaching concepts of culturally responsive pedagogy on teachers' understanding of their implicit biases? and (2) What is the impact of intentional, ongoing professional development utilizing CRT methods for teachers working with multilingual learners? This study used a theoretical framework of culture centered pedagogies such as culturally relevant pedagogy and culturally responsive pedagogy. Additionally, it used a conceptual framework: CRT. The participants were four locally based teachers (three in South Carolina and one in Georgia) who were open and eager to learn about culturally responsive pedagogy and how it relates to CRT methods. Furthermore, the participants directly work with MLs and were engaged in focus groups (the intervention) that centered around addressing their biases and what CRT looks like in the curriculum and classroom. The data collection tools that were used were an initial survey, focus group meeting notes, the Culturally Responsive Instruction Observation Protocol (Powell et al., 2017), and a wrap up interview. Coding and memoing were used in the data analysis portion of this research study. Results indicated that general education teachers must have an assets-based perspective and commit to self-reflection when examining their implicit biases. The results also indicated themes of uniting students, families, and schools and the need for more resources and training regarding CRT. This study showcased the positive effect that professional development utilizing CRT methods has on both teachers and students.

Rights

© 2025, Lindsey Nicole Finley

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