Cultural Reponsiveness

After reading Helen's blog it made me think about cultural responsiveness in my own teaching. As a class we have been looking at cultures and so it has made me think about making sure I am inclusive of different cultures. I enjoy learning about other cultures and learning languages as I am currently learning sign language. I have learnt from learning sign language there is more than just learning the correct signs when learning sign language. Deaf culture is also important and I learn from a teacher who is deaf and she is often sharing about the deaf culture and how this important and different from my culture.

 So just speaking Maori in the class is only the start of ensuring that I am being culturally responsive. I need to ensure that other aspects occur such as engaging the whanau, achnowledging whakapapa and Tikanga. Tikaga as mentioned in Helen's blog is to do with correct procedure and traditions. It covers different aspects  Rangatiratanga, Manaakitanga,Kaitiakitangi and Whanaugatanga. When I teach I need to ensure that I always respect the Maori culture.  I believe I am continually working on making sure that I learn more about Maori culture not just the teaching of the language as there is definitely more to it then that. By doing this it will help to empower and ensure that Maori students are valued in whatever they do and help them to succeed in education. It is my job to ensure the classroom is one in which Maori children are valued and by making connections with them and showing a general respect this will help towards this.