{"id":11307,"date":"2020-01-27T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-01-27T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/aurora-institute.org\/blog\/cw_post\/designing-equitable-and-culturally-responsive-learning-spaces\/"},"modified":"2020-03-10T08:14:50","modified_gmt":"2020-03-10T12:14:50","slug":"designing-equitable-and-culturally-responsive-learning-spaces","status":"publish","type":"cw_post","link":"https:\/\/aurora-institute.org\/cw_post\/designing-equitable-and-culturally-responsive-learning-spaces\/","title":{"rendered":"Designing Equitable and Culturally Responsive Learning Spaces"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"KarlaTruly supporting the needs of all learners requires intentional planning and design. In our recent session on designing equitable learning spaces at the Aurora Institute Symposium, the Equity Institute explored how culturally responsive teaching and leading pushes us to reimagine what is possible in our schools. Placing student voices and identity at the forefront of our work helps ensure that those we serve help to define what counts as successful. It challenges us to build student-centered, actionable strategies to support our vision for an equitable education system.<\/p>\n

The workshop took its participants on a journey, rooted in equity and focused on becoming culturally responsive educators. We begin with identity development and understanding how educators\u2019 individual identities are intrinsically connected to our students\u2019 identities. Using uniquely designed tools, such as the Equity Institute’s “identity bonds,” participants gain skills necessary for engaging with their communities. Identity bonds provide educators with the opportunity to reflect on their own personal identities and ask critical questions like:<\/p>\n