Jordan and Will sit down with Robert Jackson to explore what cultural awareness really means in schools—and why it starts with respect, acceptance, and genuine curiosity. Robert shares stories that highlight how easy it is for adults (and students) to make assumptions, and why asking better questions is one of the most powerful ways to build connection. The conversation also introduces a simple values-based lens educators can use to reflect on their own approach to relationships, trust, and classroom culture.

🔑 Key Takeaways

✔️Cultural awareness is bigger than identity labels—it’s about honoring individual experience.

✔️Assumptions create distance; curiosity builds connection.

✔️Trust is essential for learning—and it takes consistency over time.

✔️Students take cues from adults on what respect looks like in real life.

✔️Growth happens when educators stay teachable, own mistakes, and keep learning.

💬 Memorable Quotes

🗣️“Culture is not color.”

🗣️“Be curious, not judgmental.”

🗣️“Kids remember how you made them feel.”

🗣️“You can’t withdraw from a relationship you haven’t invested in.”

🧠 Strategies You’ll Learn

• Ways to use questions to understand students beyond stereotypes
• Strategies to strengthen trust through everyday consistency
• Approaches to recover when you “fumble” a cultural moment with students
• How to create a classroom culture where students feel safe being themselves
• Practices to keep learning about students without losing your own authenticity

➕ Additional Practices

• Use reflection prompts to check for assumptions before reacting
• Practice “teach-first” responses when misunderstandings happen
• Build a habit of learning something new about students each week
• Reinforce respect through the way adults model language and behavior
• Treat culture-building as ongoing—not a one-time activity

📚 Resources and Links

🔗 Robert Jackson’s website: https://www.robertjacksonmotivates.com/

🔗 Robert Jackson’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robjmotivates/?hl=en

🔗 Robert Jackson on X: https://x.com/RJMotivates

🔗 See Robert Jackson at the Innovative Schools Summit: https://innovativeschoolssummit.com/orlando/

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