Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy Designation
At the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, we view our students’ linguistic and cultural backgrounds as valuable resources. Spanish language and bilingual courses capitalize on the rich cultural and linguistic heritage that many students bring into our classroom and prepare our students to serve their surrounding community. When UTRGV was founded in 2013, the UT System Board of Regents called on UTRGV to explore biculturalism, bilingualism, and biliteracy as part of its fabric, and teaching Spanish language and bilingual courses as well as courses incorporating culturally sustaining pedagogy respond to that call.
We define culturally sustaining pedagogy as courses in which students 1) develop/maintain cultural competency and 2) develop/invoke a critical consciousness. As a part of the B3 Scholar Seal, we define these courses as relating to Mexican American culture/community. These courses should view cultural backgrounds as a resource and asset and incorporate assignments and activities which draw upon these resources to promote student success.
Planning Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy in Your Course
We appreciate that culturally sustaining pedagogies will look different in each course. Below are some ideas of how you might integrate culturally relevant pedagogy into your instruction, course content and materials, and student assignments. If you have any questions or would like to discuss your course, please contact us at b3institute@utrgv.edu
- Instruction: Integrate culturally sustaining material into course instruction in a way that develops students’ critical consciousness.
- This may include lectures, course topics, activities, discussion questions, videos, and modules related to Mexican American culture which integrate a social justice perspective.
- Content/Materials: Integrate culturally sustaining material related to Mexican American culture in a way that develops students’ critical consciousness.
- Integrate culturally sustaining content into your readings, videos, and other course materials.
- If your course has a pre-determined textbook without much or any culturally sustaining content, provide some additional supplementary materials that integrate culturally sustaining content into the course.
- The B3 Institute will facilitate connections with library resources, or you may communicate directly with your academic area library liaison. Find your library liaison here.
- Demonstrations of Learning (Student Work): Develop activities and/or assignments that integrate culturally sustaining pedagogy.
- These assignments may vary widely. Options include but are not limited to reflections, journals, discussion boards, papers/essays, class discussions, presentations, videos, posters, community engaged scholarship or service learning activities.
Application Process
To receive the Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy Designation, you will complete a short application, including the following:
- CV
- Please answer the following questions on your interest/plans for integrating culturally sustaining pedagogy in your course:
- Why should this course be taught with culturally sustaining pedagogy?
- How will culturally relevant pedagogy be represented in the course? How will culturally relevant pedagogy be represented in 1) instruction, 2) content/materials, and 3) demonstration of learning (student work)?
- Syllabus
- The syllabus should include a short statement on culturally sustaining pedagogy
- The syllabus should clearly demonstrate how culturally sustaining pedagogies will be used in instruction, content/materials, and/or assignments/activities.
- Optional: The syllabus may be bilingual or made available in both English and Spanish (Contact Translation & Interpreting Office at tio@utrgv.edu to translate to Spanish)
Submit your application here.