Culturally Responsive

Pedagogy
Characteristics
General Strategies and Tactics
for Overcoming Stereotypes
and Biases
Barbara Gross Davis, University of
California, Berkeley, in Tools for Teaching
suggests the following general strategies
and tactics for overcoming stereotypes
and biases:
 General Strategies and Tactics
• recognize any biases or stereotypes that you may have absorbed;
• treat each student as an individual and respect each student for who he or she is;
• rectify any language patterns or case examples that exclude or demean any groups;
• be sensitive to terminology;
• get a sense of how students feel about the cultural climate in your classroom;
• become more informed about the history and culture of groups other than your own;
• convey the same level of respect and confidence in the abilities of all your students;
• don’t try to “protect” any group of students;
• be evenhanded in how you acknowledge students’ good work; and
• introduce discussions of diversity within the school faculty.
 Course Content and
Material
• select texts and readings whose language is free of stereotypes;
• do not assume that all students will recognize cultural, literary or
historical references that are familiar to you;
• consider students’ needs when assigning evening or weekend work;
and
• bring in guest lecturers to enrich the course.
 Class Discussion
• emphasize the importance of considering different approaches and
viewpoints;
• make it clear that you value all comments;
• encourage all students to participate in class discussions;
• monitor your own reactions in responding to students;
• speak up promptly if any student makes an inappropriate remark
even if made in jest; and
• avoid singling out students as “spokespersons” for their race, culture
or nationality.
 Assignments and Exams
• be sensitive to students whose first language is
not English;
• suggest that students form study teams that
meet outside of class;
• assign collaborative learning activities; and
• give assignments and exams that recognize
diversity.
 References
• https://www.pspc.education.pa.gov/Promoting-Ethical-Practices-
Resources/Ethics-Toolkit/Unit5/Pages/Ethics,-Teaching-and-
Diversity.aspx
• https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1208618.pdf