The Need for Promoting and Developing Cultural Competency in Future Teachers

Abstract

This chapter discusses the importance of promoting and developing cultural competency in future teachers. As many countries face changing demographics and student populations in schools it is essential that future teachers understand and respect different cultures, especially the role of equity and inclusion in supporting student success. The chapter provides a review of cultural competency, why teachers today need to have cultural competency, and ways in which this competency can be developed for beginning teachers. Methods of promoting and developing cultural competency for pre-service teachers are highlighted based on the experiences from a four-semester pre-service teacher program in Ontario, Canada. The ways in which cultural competency is addressed in different courses such as Digital Literacies, Human development, Mental health in Schools, and the “Foundations” series of courses (fundamentals of teaching, learning, planning and assessment) are presented. Recommendations for teacher preparation and professional development are provided.