Why is this important for my volunteering?
Now that you've built up a foundational knowledge of cultural competency, implicit bias, and explored your own multicultural backgrounds, you can apply that knowledge to your volunteer position. Below are several resources that explore cultural competency in a volunteer setting. While many resources are classroom-specific, the lessons can be applied to many different types of volunteer.
A Look at Implicit Bias and Microaggressions (Edutopia): A great foundational article about implicit bias and micro aggressions, applied to educators
Microaggressions in the Classroom (Youtube) by Focused.Arts.Media.Education: A YouTube video by Dr. Yolanda Flores Niemann that details how micro-aggressions can occur in the classrooms, which can be applied to other volunteer sites
Cultural Competency ATLAS by Hamline University: "In order to create effective conditions for learning, we need to be well aware of our own knowledge gaps and implicit biases, and work to deliver instruction in ways that are anti-racist, culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and pedagogically sound. ATLAS bases its efforts around cultural competency on the following sources"
Confessions: New Teacher of Newcomers: Michelle Benegas at TEDxUMN: A teacher describes her own experiences overcoming bias and bridging difference in a multicultural classroom.
4 Pathways to a Culturally Responsive Virtual Classroom from the TESOL Organization: This resource focuses on virtual volunteering, specifically in a classroom, but the tips can be applied to other virtual volunteering sites as well.
Worth the Risk: Towards Decentring Whiteness in English Language Teaching (British Columbia Teachers’ Association EAL) This opinion essay details the ways in which volunteering can center on our white biases, and how we can work to counteract that in the future.
Pronouncing ELLs’ Names Correctly: This resource explains the importance of using the correct pronunciation of names at your site, and gives resources to help you accomplish it.