Transcript Cultural Proficiency: A Manual for School Leaders Lindsey

Dale Ellis, Ed. D
Superintendent
Montgomery County Schools
January 9, 2013
Session 1: An Overview
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Cultural Proficiency is a way of
being that allows individuals and
organizations to interact effectively
with people who differ from them.
A Quick Review
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 What is YOUR education level?
 What is YOUR income level?
 How does that compare with those that you interact
with in the broader school community?
 How does your life blueprint (history, etc.) compare
to that of your students?
Understanding Culture
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 Culture is much deeper than most people think
about or realize.
 When we say the term cultural diversity, what
generally is that interpreted to mean?
Culture is…
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Race
Ethnicity
History
Gender
Socio-economic status
What else?
 If you can think of a difference, it is probably connected to
culture in some way or it is a sub-culture unto itself.
Our Task
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 Educate ALL students to the best of their ability and
to the best of our ability.
 Can we truly differentiate instruction if our
educators do not understand and acknowledge
difference?
Difference is….
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 …not an excuse.
 …not a crutch.
 …not something to whisper about.
 Difference is to be celebrated!
Moving Forward
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 We want to address and capitalize on our diversity.
 We want to reinforce positive values about diversity.
 We want to reinforce values and behaviors that
produce the best results for children.
 We want to leverage previous knowledge in Robert
Marzano’s work, Ruby Payne, and PDSA training to
get the best out of ALL students.
Schedule
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 January – Overview
 February – Chs. 1-3
 March – Chs. 4-6
 April – Chs. 7-9
 May – Resources