About MeMy name is Shakemia Jones. I am originally from Greenville, North Carolina but currently live in Durham with my husband and two fur babies. I am in my sixth year of teaching on the elementary level. I taught littles (K-2) for four years and decided to take a leap to teach 4th grade in order to focus on my passion for literacy. I have worked in both charter and public schools with 80%-100% minority populations. In both environments there was a major disparity in literacy instruction. This led me to seeking acceptance into the New Literacies and Global Learning program. This program, professors and fellow cohort members included, has shaped me into the educator that I am today. These two years have ignited my passion to advocate for my students in their literacy development with strategies and resources that are grounded in research as well as provide an equitable learning environment where they feel valued, supported, and empowered to affect change in the evolving world around them.
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Compelling Question
How can culturally responsive pedagogy be integrated into literacy instruction to increase student motivation and engagement?
Each year, students are becoming more diverse in their cultures, languages, abilities, interests and learning styles. As literacy leaders, it is our responsibility to create learning environments where differences are supported and celebrated so that all students are afforded the best opportunity to learn. Culturally responsive teaching is imperative when creating more equitable learning environments because it promotes instructional methods and practices that recognize student identities as it relates to the curriculum. My journey through the New Literacies and Global Learning program ignited my passion for both literacy and culturally responsive teaching, and has provided the tools necessary to confidently integrate the two. In today's society, the number of struggling readers is increasing and has a direct correlation to less motivation and engagement. I believe that if we make students' learning relevant and meaningful then we can begin to close the learning gap. All students deserve learning environments where they feel valued, supported, and empowered, which can be all be done through culturally responsive teaching.