At Rusinga Schools, we are continually striving to improve our teaching and learning experience by embracing innovative approaches that cater to the needs of our diverse student body. One of the key areas of focus in this endeavour is promoting multicultural teaching and learning. This past week, we had the privilege of engaging in a highly enriching Continuing Professional Development (CPD) session led by Dr. Maina Gioko, an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Aga Khan University. Dr. Gioko’s session centred on multicultural learning, highlighting its profound impact on student engagement, cultural awareness, and the expansion of student voices within the classroom.
The Importance of Multicultural Teaching
In today’s globalised world, fostering a multicultural teaching experience is not just beneficial but essential. At Rusinga Schools, we believe that creating an environment that values the cultural backgrounds of both teachers and students enriches learning. It provides greater opportunities for students to share their experiences, bridging gaps between different cultural perspectives. By allowing space for these narratives within the classroom, we empower students to feel more connected to their learning, knowing their unique perspectives matter.
This approach also provides teachers with a valuable opportunity to share their own cultural experiences and real-life anecdotes. Doing so enables educators to make lessons more relatable, relevant, and engaging, particularly for students who come from different cultural backgrounds. It also nurtures empathy and respect among students as they learn to appreciate the variety of lived experiences within their classroom community.
Expanding the Student Voice
One of the core principles of a multicultural classroom is the expansion of the student voice. At Rusinga Schools, we are committed to ensuring that students have an active role in their learning journey. By encouraging student-student engagement, we create a collaborative learning environment where students can learn from one another and not just from their teacher.
This aligns with Dr. Gioko’s insights during our CPD session, where he emphasised that empowering students to speak up and share their views not only boosts their confidence but also fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills. When students from different cultural backgrounds engage in discussions, they bring varied perspectives, leading to richer conversations and more nuanced understanding of subjects.
Cultural Awareness and Adaptability
Incorporating multicultural teaching into the classroom inherently enhances cultural awareness among students. By recognising and celebrating differences, we help students develop an appreciation for diversity, which is a critical life skill in the 21st century. We aim to create a safe space where students can explore and discuss cultural differences with respect and curiosity.
The CPD session underscored that in a multicultural world, adaptability is key. Students need to be prepared to work in diverse environments and with people from all walks of life. When teachers model this adaptability by incorporating diverse materials, perspectives, and teaching methods, students are better equipped to navigate an increasingly interconnected world. THis also helps boost their social resilience, a critical element in a highly globalised world.
Fostering Life-Long Learning
Another essential takeaway from our CPD session last week was the role of multicultural teaching in fostering life-long learning. By integrating multicultural elements into lessons, we cultivate a mindset of continuous curiosity and open-mindedness. Students learn to value learning not just as a means to an end, but as an ongoing journey that extends beyond the classroom walls.
At Rusinga, we recognise that fostering life-long learning involves developing critical skills such as cultural adaptability, empathy, and collaborative problem-solving. These are key competencies that students will carry with them throughout their lives, enabling them to thrive in diverse and dynamic environments.
As we continue to enhance the teaching and learning experience at Rusinga Schools, our focus on multicultural learning remains a central pillar. The insights gained from our CPD session with Dr. Maina Gioko have further strengthened our resolve to create a classroom environment that not only values diversity but also actively incorporates it into everyday learning.
