6 Ensuring Culturally Responsive and Inclusive Teaching Practices

To me, culturally responsive teaching starts by listening first and teaching second. At Legacy Online School, we are an international school that serves students from over 30 countries. There is no single cultural lens through which to view this. One strategy that has made a huge impact is building "student voice moments" into our lessons. By allowing space in our lessons for students to share something from their own identity—whether that be a personal story, a local reference, or even how a concept manifests in their culture—our lessons become richer and more inclusive.

It may sound simple, but it does take time and commitment on the part of the teachers to make it happen; however, it completely shifts the dynamic. Students learn from one another, not just from a teacher, and they validate every child's identity in the classroom. Over time, it creates an inclusive rhythm where students' diversity is not just acceptable but somehow becomes part of the entire landscape of learning.

One strategy that has proven effective is embedding student voice directly into lesson design. At the start of each term, I ask students to share personal experiences, family traditions, or cultural references that matter to them, and then I intentionally incorporate these perspectives into class discussions and project examples. For instance, in a unit on data analysis, students might bring in information related to local community events, cultural foods, or music traditions, which then becomes the foundation for practicing statistical skills. This approach not only validates their backgrounds but also makes abstract content more relatable. Over time, it has encouraged greater participation from students who were previously reluctant to engage, and it has helped create a classroom environment where every learner feels that their identity is recognized as an asset rather than an afterthought.

One strategy I use to ensure our teaching practices are culturally responsive and inclusive is by making lessons interactive and directly connected to students' lived experiences. When learning feels relevant, students not only engage more deeply but also see that their backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives matter in the classroom.

For example, at TCI, we often design activities and examples that create scenarios tied to students' daily lives. If we're teaching about the court system, we might create a scenario where students explore real-life conflicts - such as a neighborhood dispute, a traffic violation, or a contract disagreement - and then decide which type of court would handle that case. This allows students to connect abstract legal structures to situations they can imagine encountering, making the lesson both practical and meaningful.

By blending interactive strategies with real-life connections, students are empowered to contribute their unique viewpoints. This not only strengthens understanding of academic content but also builds an inclusive classroom environment where every student feels their voice is valued and respected.

One effective strategy is embedding multiple cultural reference points into examples and case studies rather than defaulting to a single dominant narrative. When teaching business concepts, for instance, illustrating supply chain resilience through both a North American retail brand and a small agricultural cooperative in Latin America provides students from different backgrounds with familiar anchors. The content remains academically rigorous, but learners recognize their own experiences reflected in the material. This approach signals respect while also encouraging cross-cultural dialogue in the classroom. Over time, students engage more deeply because they see that their perspectives are not peripheral but integral to the learning process.

I begin with the materials I present. Whenever I design a lesson or health education session, I review examples, visuals, and case studies to confirm they reflect the cultural backgrounds of the people in the room. For instance, when discussing nutrition, I incorporate foods that are familiar within different communities rather than relying on a standard list that may not resonate. This simple step signals respect for lived experiences and makes the content more practical. The strategy has proven effective because it opens space for dialogue. Participants feel recognized and are more willing to share their own perspectives, which strengthens the learning environment and builds trust.

I always try to understand each student's background so I can avoid topics that might be sensitive. I also explain how context changes meaning—for example, how a word might be neutral in one country but offensive in another. Teaching these differences helps students speak confidently while respecting cultural nuances.