Utilizing Culturally Responsive Teaching in an SEL Curriculum

Introduction

This chapter was developed and written to explore culturally responsive teaching practices in a Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum, in hopes of furthering the work to enhance learning for students of all backgrounds. A review of the literature revolving around SEL, reveals an increase in the number of teachers and schools in general who are utilizing an SEL curriculum, especially at the elementary level. As this trend continues, it’s important to examine the SEL curriculum and the competencies that define it. While there are similar definitions for explaining what’s involved in SEL, most educators agree that it’s basically the process through which students acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, in order to help them make more responsible decisions. In this chapter, the detailed elements of SEL will be reviewed first, followed by an overview of the basic tenets of culturally responsive teaching. Additional cultural needs that today’s elementary, middle, and high school students face will also be addressed in this chapter. The last part of the chapter will discuss the importance of SEL and culturally responsive teaching not just co-existing but merging to form an even stronger curriculum for helping educate students from all walks of life.