How is "culturally relevant pedagogy" defined?

Culturally relevant pedagogy is defined as using students' cultural references to engage them in learning. This approach recognizes that students come from diverse cultural backgrounds and that these cultural experiences can be leveraged to enhance their educational engagement and outcomes. By incorporating students' cultural contexts, educators can create a more inclusive and effective learning environment that validates and affirms students' identities. This method fosters a sense of belonging and encourages students to relate their own life experiences to the curriculum, thus making learning more relevant and impactful.

Incorporating cultural references helps to bridge the gap between students' home and school experiences, facilitates critical thinking, and builds a more dynamic classroom dialogue. This approach not only benefits students from diverse backgrounds but also enriches the educational experience for all students by promoting an environment of respect and understanding for different perspectives.