Cultivating Cultural Humility
Cultivating Cultural Humility
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What do you most identify with and think is most important? What do you spend the most time thinking about? Engaging in? What influences how you see the world?
The word “culture” encompasses so much. Consider the Culture Tree (from Zaretta Hammond; Drawing by Aliza Maynard) and how there are surface-level to mid-level to deep-level components of our cultures. Also consider the fact that we all have multiple social identities. Often we only see what is on the surface in our interactions with others, or we focus on only one aspect of identity. There is so much that lies below, and these factors influence everything we do and say and are.
There is a move beyond what used to be called “cultural competence” to “cultural humility” because we have come to the very important understanding that while we cannot be 100% culturally competent in every culture–that is impossible–we can have a culturally humble mindset that is open to examining our own cultural biases, listening to and learning about other cultures, and changing our behavior in varying contexts to show respect to others. This is an ongoing, lifelong process that is about the simple act of consciously learning and reflecting: “Cultural humility acknowledges that every individual has their own unique culture arising from a variety of sources and that may change based on their context” (Sabrina Schoneberg, 2022).
We can think of the central traits of cultural humility as being aware and open; coming from empathy; striving for lifelong learning while challenging imbalances; and cultivating the ability to be “other-oriented.” (Alliant University). We can both embrace our similarities and discuss our differences and why they matter.
Cultural humility is particularly important when we work with students who come from a different cultural background than us, which is often true in the context of adult education and literacy. Honing the skills of cultural humility is key to building a strong, trusting relationship with our students. To get started learning, watch this quick introductory video on Cultural Humility from the University of Pittsburgh.
Ready, Set, Go!
Introduction
Introduction
Start thinking about cultural humility by reflecting on the following questions:
What is one word or phrase to describe what you immediately think of when you hear "cultural humility"?
What is the impact of someone feeling like their culture is not valued?
To get started learning, read the article and/ or watch the video below:
(Blog) A Cultural Humility Primer: Bridging the Gap Between Knowledge & Authentic Connection by Sarah Prince
(Video) TED Doodle: “The Hidden Impact of Cultural Bias in Everyday Interactions”
Feel like you would like to explore the definition of culture first? Take the mini course: "What Is Culture?"
Then, start the awareness process by taking the Cultural Intelligence Scale, developed by researchers Soon Ang, Linn Van Dyne, and Christing Koh in 2003.
Consider: What are some skills you can practice to start with?
Continued Learning
Continued Learning
Reflect on these questions from the primer:
Am I aware of my own cultural background and biases and how they influence my perceptions, reactions to, and interpretations of others?
Do I engage in active listening and empathy, allowing space for others to share their unique experiences and perspectives? Do I validate and appreciate these contributions?
Am I willing to be open-minded and consider alternative viewpoints and interpretations? Am I willing to challenge preconceived notions?
Do I actively seek to learn about and understand different cultural perspectives, values, and experiences without making assumptions?
Ready to learn more?
Watch Literacy Works' recorded session on this topic (check with us if you are a NM program and you need the password) OR go through this module from Project READY
Check out Edutopia’s collection on Culturally Responsive Teaching
Take Harvard’s Project Implicit test on social attitudes
Consider: What surprised you about what you learned? What did not surprise you?
Deeper Dive
Deeper Dive
Want to learn even more?
Read Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain by Zaretta Hammon: full text available here (watch an interview with the author here to learn more)
Explore the videos, texts, and podcasts in this guide from Syracuse University Libraries
Watch and discuss the documentary Waiting for Superman
Attend Propel's next Motivational Coaching training
Commit to these steps or these practices to develop cultural humility
Reflect:
What are your goals for nurturing cultural humility?
How can cultural humility be used as a tool for change?
Now what would you say is one word or phrase to describe "cultural humility"?
Now what would you say is the impact of someone feeling like their culture is not valued?
When someone feels that way, now how might you respond?
Tutor Tip: Practicing Cultural Humility
Tutor Tip: Skills of cultural humility create stronger relationships that are fundamental to the tutoring context. So what does practicing cultural humility actually look like? It means:
Actively reflecting on one’s own identity and culture, experiences, assumptions and biases.
Honoring the student as the expert of their own lives, experiences, interests, and goals.
Developing positively-curious attitudes towards difference and relationships based on acceptance, respect, and shared goals.
Acknowledging those differences, including power differentials and social inequalities, and how they affect our systems, lives, and relationships.
Challenging and working to correct the biases that we all have (for example, being cognizant of pushing one’s own cultural norms on a student is the first step in changing that common practice).
Listening and learning about the student’s identities, background, family, community, and culture by spending time in the community (and participating respectfully when invited), asking questions, and doing research with the understanding that one can never fully learn everything there is to know.
Developing skills to interact and communicate across cultural boundaries. (Adapted from Bernadette Sanchez, “Practicing Cultural Humility,” University of Illinois-Chicago) CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
This does not mean that we are doing these things well all at the same time all of the time. It does not mean that we can always react or respond to everyone in the way they would like us to. It simply means actively striving to learn and apply our learning. It is not being judgmental of oneself, either. It is about recognizing that we are all constantly growing and that it is impossible to be culturally competent in any culture other than our own.
Yet, we can try to practice cultural humility both in our daily lives and specifically in working with our students, learners, and tutees. When we catch ourselves acting on our biases and assumptions, the work is then how we respond to that and go beyond it.
How can we approach our tutees from this place of openness? One simple behavior to try in the tutoring context is to say when you don’t know something or when you know you are talking about something from your perspective. Then, ask for your student’s perspective and how they got to it.
Regularly investigating our assumptions and expectations for students is an important part of cultural humility. Most of us have expectations about timeliness, behavior, performance, and so on. Do you find yourself expecting something that may be culturally different for your student? Do you include diverse perspectives, especially from the student’s culture, in session materials? Do you give your student ample opportunities to share cultural knowledge and experiences? Take this Mentimeter poll to consider expectations many of us have.
Read this section from Demystifying Adult Literacy on "Appreciating Cultural Differences" to see some other ways to apply these ideas in tutoring. Then, try one of the activities with a friend, colleague, or family member. Next, when you are able, take a field trip with your student (and their permission and choice) to an event in his or her community with cultural humility in mind. How did keeping the ideas here in mind change the experience for you? How did it feel? How did your student react to these changes?
Share Your Thoughts
💬Join the discussion on February 26 from 12-1 pm. Bring your ideas and questions about this topic as well as any tutoring-related concerns.
💬Join the discussion on February 26 from 12-1 pm. Bring your ideas and questions about this topic as well as any tutoring-related concerns.
📝Share your experience, questions, and suggestions using this form. Have you tried implementing any of the above principles or strategies? How did it go? Are you interested in trying them but need a little support?
* For more activities and discussion, join our Facebook group!
Would you like to learn about another topic? Explore the Instructional Learning Library here or suggest a topic on the above form.
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