This workshop will explore the concept of cultural competence. The NEA defines cultural competence as having an awareness of our own cultural identity and views about difference and using that as a basis to gain a better understanding of the varying cultural norms of others. (Students, parents, colleagues and community).  There are four legs to this table: awareness, attitude, insight about cultural bias, and communication skills. We will explore cultural similarities and differences in areas such as, response to authority, value of education, roles of boys and girls, assertiveness, etc. Seeing the strength in diversity while avoiding the assumption that because certain cultural norms may be dominant in a culture it defines everyone in it, also will be addressed.

Cultural competence is forward thinking about how to build better connections in the future rather than attaching blame for mistakes of the past.