The lecture this past week was given by Kimberly Worthy. She has been an advocate for educational excellence in urban school for the past twelve years. During her lecture she talked about many things, but three key points she covered were culturally relevant teaching, LEAP, and education in Africa.
Culturally relevant teaching involves empowering students in order to give them the motivation and purpose they need to succeed in life. It brings out how students need to be taught from a perspective not that of mainstream society. I absolutely agree with that. If the teaching methods used are no longer working, teachers need to be prepared to adapt and to change. They need to be ready to change even if the change is something out of the ordinary or away from the “norm.” African American children also need to learn about their heritage from early on. Where they came from should always be taught. They should never have to question how wonderful they and their ancestors are.
LEAP Science and Math School is a chain of schools throughout South Africa. The school validates and exalts traditional cultures, so no one ever feels as though they are inferior. It also incorporates African Epistemology in the learning environments. A lot of emphasis is placed on UBUNTU-humanity. LEAP’s mission statement is: “Be kind, be honest, be healthy, be punctual, look good, work hard, never give up, admit mistakes, learn from mistakes, confront issues, be open to change, work together, share as much as you can.” I think that should be the mission statement for every teaching institution. That is a very positive thing to teach children to live by. That is the type of thing all people should live by.
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