This course, with its text, addresses the achievement gap that remains a problem for educators of culturally and linguistically diverse students. Educators will understand why and how culturally responsive pedagogy has shown promise in meeting the need for a proven framework in optimizing student engagement and facilitating deeper learning in diverse classrooms. This course draws on cutting-edge neuroscience research to offer an innovative approach for designing and implementing brain-compatible culturally responsive instruction. At the completion of this course, all instructional leaders will reap the benefits of culturally responsive instruction.

At the completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

• Understand how one’s culture programs the brain to process data and affects learning relationships. (InTASC 2, 4, 5, 8)
• Connect with and prepare students to become independent learners. (InTASC 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8)
• Acquire ten key strategies to build students’ learner operating systems (InTASC 1, 2, 3, 7, 8)
• Design and implement brain-compatible culturally responsive instruction. (InTASC 2, 5, 7, 8)