Foundations of Cultural Competency: Culture Shapes Behaviors, Values & Institutions

By the end of this book, participants will be able to:

Define cultural competence.

Discuss the stages of cultural competence.

Differentiate between cultural competence, cultural awareness and cultural sensitivity.

Define stereotype, prejudice, ethnic identity and worldview.

Explore several tools for cultural self-assessment.

Assess and evaluate own level of personal competence.

Participants will understand:

Courageous conversations about race and the impact of race on institutional structures are a first and necessary step in eliminating gaps in achievement

Conversations about race should lead each of us to examine our work. We will discover what we do not know and what we need to know to assure that Black and Latino students succeed academically, socially and emotionally. As we use this new knowledge and practice, the quality of education for all students will increase.

Our perceptions of others are expressed through communication, behaviors, and practices of relationship building. Each of these behaviors directly impacts student and adult ability to take risks, work hard, be resilient, and achieve.