What will culturally relevant pedagogy look like, sound like, feel like in your future classroom? What is culturally relevant pedagogy? Learning and how students are expected to learn are different in each culture. As educators, it is crucial to understand the different cultures in each classroom and use this knowledge to accommodate all students and have instructional practices. Culturally relevant pedagogy empowered all students as a collective. Critical literacy is similar in many ways, as it “encourages the deconstructing of power, values, and attitudes in texts and positions texts as a form of empowerment for some social groups” (A.E. Lopez, pg. 78). As a future educator, I will provide students with various literacies and knowledge about their society and the different social structures and cultures that make up such a society. To gain academic success and intellectual growth, I will provide students with “high-order problems” (78) that they must engage. Students must be confident and proud of their cultures, so as a teacher, it is my responsibility to engage in the different cultures of the classroom with my students, making them see their culture as a strength. What students will be learning will be relevant to their lives and experiences, not just particular students, but all students. Visually, this means that the classroom will be culturally diverse with imagery and literature, as a safe and open place to feel comfortable and strong in their individual and cultural identity. (Ann E. Lopez)

How will you, as a teacher, contribute to the sense of place for your future students? The art of music and music education is an incredible tool to develop students socially and emotionally, which is essential in students finding their sense of place. I want to contribute to a sense of place for my future students through music because it provides experiences that can remind students of their cultures, traditions, environments, building community and connections. Having a music class can give students skills that they will use in different aspects of their lives. It is vital, though, to support and acknowledge diverse ideas. Through a diverse music class that includes performances, beliefs, and values, I will give students opportunities to contribute to their communities. Music is a way they can be authentic and value all cultures of the community. “Students were actively able to participate in their music education in ways that honour the past and brighten the future.” (Brook, pg.301)

Lopez, A. E. (2011). English Teaching: Practice and Critique (4th ed., Vol. 10, pp. 75–93) [Review of English Teaching: Practice and Critique]. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1e9OEf6eaRHT3700UhF8L6M7SHbmszLQN/view

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Julia Brook (2013) Placing elementary music education: a case study of a Canadian rural music program, Music Education Research, 15:3, 290-303, DOI: 10.1080/14613808.2013.779641 https://doi.org/10.1080/14613808.2013.779641