My personal philosophy statements pertaining to being a culturally responsive educator.

• I believe that it is the teachers' responsibility to keep students motivated and engaged. This can be done in a variety of ways, but creating solid relationships with your students and understanding how they learn best will help you, the teacher, keep them engaged and motivated. Also, having a growth mindset environment and stressing it, will help keep the students motivated throughout the year.
• I believe it is very important to be culturally competent of the cultures of students coming in and out of your classroom. Without having an understanding of the cultures in the classroom, the teacher will not have an understanding of the student as an individual. It is important to know about your students' backgrounds to be able to make the content and lessons appropriate and effective. 
• I believe the Funds of Knowledge are important for students who have different cultures as well as similarities in their culture compared to your own. Being competent about where, when, and how students thrive, will help you, as a teacher, reach full potential with them inside of the classroom while helping them achieve their goals. 
• I believe setting high goals as a whole class and for individual students will help shape a positive classroom environment. When the teacher shows a student they want them to be successful and go for something they never thought about, will help the student become motivated and find grit to achieve the goal(s).