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Episode 154 | Cultural Humility Is Different Than Cultural Competence
Episode Summary
What happens when schools misunderstand culture as misbehavior?
In this episode of Our Classroom, Roberto Germán reflects on powerful conversations with a Dominican mother advocating for her son after repeated school experiences rooted in misunderstanding, bias, and cultural disconnects.
This conversation explores the important distinction between cultural competence and cultural humility—and why humility requires more than training or good intentions. It requires listening, reflection, partnership, and the willingness to recognize that our norms are not universal.
Through real stories from families navigating schools, this episode challenges educators to rethink what belonging truly means and asks an important question:
Are students being supported… or silently asked to erase parts of themselves in order to fit in?
In This Episode
Key Reflection
“Students should not have to erase themselves in order to belong.”
Questions to Reflect On
Why This Conversation Matters
As school demographics continue to shift, many educators are realizing that diversity alone does not create belonging.
This episode is a reminder that culturally responsive practice is not about mastering “other people’s cultures.” It’s about developing the humility to listen, learn, reflect, and build authentic relationships with students and families.
An Invitation
Teach in Truth.
Lead with Courage.
Belong to a Community That Gets It.
Join My Classroom Gold — a community of educators committed to equity, truth, and impact.
https://www.multiculturalclassroom.com/founding-member
Connect with Us
Follow @multiculturalclassroom
Subscribe to Our Classroom
Share this episode with an educator, administrator, or parent navigating conversations around culture, belonging, and identity in schools.
View all episodes
By Roberto Germán | Multicultural Classroom
4.9
2222 ratings
Episode Summary
What happens when schools misunderstand culture as misbehavior?
In this episode of Our Classroom, Roberto Germán reflects on powerful conversations with a Dominican mother advocating for her son after repeated school experiences rooted in misunderstanding, bias, and cultural disconnects.
This conversation explores the important distinction between cultural competence and cultural humility—and why humility requires more than training or good intentions. It requires listening, reflection, partnership, and the willingness to recognize that our norms are not universal.
Through real stories from families navigating schools, this episode challenges educators to rethink what belonging truly means and asks an important question:
Are students being supported… or silently asked to erase parts of themselves in order to fit in?
In This Episode
Key Reflection
“Students should not have to erase themselves in order to belong.”
Questions to Reflect On
Why This Conversation Matters
As school demographics continue to shift, many educators are realizing that diversity alone does not create belonging.
This episode is a reminder that culturally responsive practice is not about mastering “other people’s cultures.” It’s about developing the humility to listen, learn, reflect, and build authentic relationships with students and families.
An Invitation
Teach in Truth.
Lead with Courage.
Belong to a Community That Gets It.
Join My Classroom Gold — a community of educators committed to equity, truth, and impact.
https://www.multiculturalclassroom.com/founding-member
Connect with Us
Follow @multiculturalclassroom
Subscribe to Our Classroom
Share this episode with an educator, administrator, or parent navigating conversations around culture, belonging, and identity in schools.