Cultural Identity and Teaching Team Summary Part
1
Heather Alleman, Juliana de la Tejera, Kevin Sweet,
Noelle Wicevich
Cultural Competency EDL 505
Sara Mattson Phd
April 9, 2012
Team A
Cultural Identity and Teaching
Summary Part 1
K
W
L
Culture, values and beliefs comprise the
cultural proficient teacher.
How can teachers build awareness of
their own culture, especially values and
beliefs?
Teachers can construct a cultural weave
and share it with colleagues. Teachers
can observe other classrooms.
Building and presenting culture in the
classroom fosters a diverse environment.
How can teachers build and present
culture in their classrooms?
Students can construct a cultural weave
and share them with the class. Students
can be given opportunities to write,
draw, and share their culture and
traditions with the class. Also, students
can construct collages with parents,
speak about the collages, and display
them in the classroom.
Building inclusive cultures are the keystone
for an positive learning environment.
How can we be conscious about building
an inclusive culture?
The teacher and students can make a
class photo album. Students can make
story boards about his or her culture.
Team A
Team A’s Knowledge of
Heather’s Culture
K
W
L
Heather is married and lives in Italy. She
enjoys reading and spending time with
her family. She is a teacher and values
family, love, and happiness.
The team wants to learn more about
Heather’s culture and how she applies it
in the classroom.
We learned that Heather and Juliana
both like the Lakers. She enjoys
NASCAR and reading.
Heather lives in Italy, she is married and
graduated from Nicholls State
University. Heather also enjoys children,
LA Lakers, NASCAR, and reading.
The team wants to learn the culture of
Heather.
Heather grew up in the Razor Back state.
Her values are family, love, and
happiness. She enjoys eating pizza,
fried fish, fish stew, and shrimp stew.
The things that are most important to
Heather include love and happiness.
Heather’s nationality and how she uses it
in the classroom?
Heather and her husband are currently
living in Italy.
Heather’s hobbies include: reading and
spending time with family.
How long will Heather be living in Italy?
Has or will family visit Italy?
Heather’s husband is in the Air Force
and stationed in Italy.
Heather
Team A’s Knowledge of
Julian’s Culture
K
W
L
Juliana enjoys dancing and going to
concerts. She is passionate about
teaching.
The team wants to learn more about
Juliana’s beliefs, goals, and strengths.
Juliana values her family, friends, and
pets. Her beliefs include the Golden
Rule and being open-minded. Her goals
include having a family, receiving her
Master’s, and owning her own home.
She exercises regularly.
Juliana lives in Riverside California. She
is single and considers her two Yorkies
children. Juliana also enjoys Disneyland
and Mexican Folk.
The team wants to learn the culture of
Juliana.
Juliana grew up in sunny California. She
is a health fanatic who enjoys football,
basketball, and baseball. She enjoys
eating Mexican and Italian foods. Also,
she enjoys the band and dance arts.
Juliana teaches High School English
and ELD.
What kinds of different strategies are
used in an ELD classroom?
Juliana speaks English and some
Spanish.
Juliana values her family, friends, and
pets.
What role does cultural diversity play in
Juliana’s friendships?
Juliana exercises regularly and is in
good condition; she also enjoys dance.
Juliana
Team A’s Knowledge of
Kevin’s Culture
K
W
L
Kevin serves in the United States Air
Force. He is married and has two
children. He enjoys hiking.
The team wants to learn more about
Kevin’s beliefs, goals, and strengths.
Kevin believes in always doing the right
thing and helping others.
Kevin is married with two step children.
He wants to become a teacher and learn
Spanish. He enjoys helping others.
The team wants to learn more about
Kevin’s culture and how he applies it in
the classroom.
Kevin is currently in the US Air Force.
He grew up in the Midwest and enjoys
hiking.
Kevin has been in the Air Force for
nineteen years.
How Kevin will use his experience from
the Air Force in his classroom?
Kevin is a 5th generation fighter (F22 &
F35) Avionics Technician.
Kevin grew up in the Midwest,
Indianapolis.
How many states and countries has
Kevin lived in during his career?
Kevin wants to become fluent in
Spanish.
Kevin
Team A’s Knowledge of
Noelle’s Culture
K
W
L
Noelle has a degree in Elementary
Education. She also has great
leadership skills.
The team wants to learn more about
Noelle’s beliefs, goals, and strengths.
Noelle believes that everyone should be
treated fairly. Also, she believes that
everyone has a right to an education.
She wants the best for her students and
colleagues.
Noelle currently resides in California with her
husband. She is a hard worker and a great
leader.
The team wants to learn more about Noelle’s
culture and how she applies it in the classroom.
Noelle enjoys dance like Juliana. She
has a degree in elementary education
and graduated from Arizona State.
Noelle lives in Eastvale California; she is
married, has four dogs, and graduated
from Arizona State in 2005.
The team wants to learn the culture of
Noelle.
Like Kevin, Noelle grew up in the
Midwest as well. She enjoys dance,
music, steak, pizza, and chocolate. Her
ethnicity is French, English, and
Scottish.
Noelle
Reference:
White, K. K., Zion, S., Kozleski, E., & Equity Alliance at ASU.
(2005). Cultural identity and teaching.
National Institute for Urban School Improvement:
Tempe, AZ.
Team A