Classroom culture means different things to different people—ask 10 folks and you’ll get 10 unique answers! It’s one of those things we can usually recognize when we see it, but putting it into words? That’s tricky. And that’s exactly what makes building a culturally responsive classroom such a challenge. What should we really focus on? How do we walk the line between appreciation and appropriation? And most importantly, how do we make sure every student and stakeholder feels seen, heard, and valued?

Culture shapes how we think, learn, communicate, and connect with others, so creating a space that reflects and respects different backgrounds isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s essential. But where do you start? The good news is that you don’t need to have all the answers right away. With a little intention and a lot of heart, CoolSpeaker and Author Chris Collins can help you begin to make meaningful changes to classroom culture that help every scholar thrive.

Here are four down-to-earth, practical ways that Chris recommends for you to start building more inclusive classroom culture:

1. Talk That Talk

Have a conversation about the power and importance of culture and why it matters in your classroom.

Action Steps: 

• Work together to define the word culture as it relates to diversity, ethnicity, traditions, heritage, language, food, music, and other agreed-upon components.
• Use inclusive language when speaking to your scholars. When possible, use their chosen name, and take the time to pronounce their names correctly (don’t give a scholar a nickname because their name is challenging to pronounce).
• Collaborate with your scholars to set the norms and expectations around how culture will be highlighted, respected, and discussed in the classroom.
  • Bonus points: send those expectations home so parents/guardians can review, contribute, and support your efforts to build classroom culture. 

2. Make Your Classroom a Mirror

A culturally responsive classroom is about being inclusive. Classrooms should mirror the culture of the folks that occupy them. Allowing your scholars opportunities to see themselves, both literally and culturally, gives them ownership of the space, which can lead to increased comfort, engagement, and accountability. 

Action Steps: 

• Have a dedicated space for your scholars to showcase their culture (whether it’s a drawing, a flag, or another aspect they choose). Download this bonus resource you can use to make it universally themed and still give your scholars a chance to highlight their culture.
• Include books, articles, and resources that highlight the demographics of your classroom and community. Feature local authors, highlight history makers in your district or community, and hold space for your scholars to highlight trailblazers in their family (first to go to college, get married, own a business, etc). 
• Don’t forget about you! Reveal parts of your culture and personal life (what you’re comfortable expressing) so they get to know you outside of the role of educator. Seeing how you live out your family traditions and represent your culture allows for the entire class to be seen. 
  • Bonus points: feature current or previous scholars’ work in your class! (a poem, song, artwork, viral post, anything that showcases their dopeness)

3. Be Cool (or at least Cool-ish) Or Keep it Light or Be Balanced! Or Make it Fun and Relevant 

As an educator, you have enough heavy lifting on your hands to deliver the content included in your curriculum. Use these moments to both supplement your instruction, provide levity, and create relevant classroom culture.

Action Steps: 

• Have your scholars create a collaborative playlist. They can pick songs that are important to their culture, family moments, or mood. Set the parameters (clean version, no explicit content, etc.) and use a QR code or link from the app of your choice, and let scholars add to the list from their classroom.
• Once you have basic information about your scholar’s culture, use Google Alerts to get notifications on news and current events that impact them. Bringing in these current events may even expose them to aspects of their culture they are unfamiliar with. Seeing themselves on a global scale or in real-world situations goes a long way in establishing an environment where they feel seen, valued, and accepted, while helping them become a global citizen.
• Be aware of your biases and the climate of the room. If you’re an educator endeavoring to create an appropriately responsive classroom culture, you are not the type of person to intentionally uphold or support stereotypes and hurtful practices. But like I tell scholars in my keynote, “Good intentions don’t always lead to good results….But keep doing good anyway!” Acknowledge your challenges, make amends, and keep pushing!
  • Bonus points: build a playlist of the parents’ and family members’ favorite jams from back in the day or songs connected to family or special moments. Then scholars can present their parents’ song and the story behind it!

4. Evaluate and Adapt Your Practices Regularly 

Continuous improvement helps educators stay responsive to their students’ needs and maintain an equitable classroom culture. 

Action Steps: 

• Seek feedback from students on how culturally responsive your teaching feels. 
• Join educator groups or forums focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion. 
• Stay updated on best practices and research in culturally responsive education.

When educators embrace diverse perspectives and implement inclusive practices, the result is a stronger, more connected school culture where every student feels seen, heard, and valued. Ultimately, creating a positive classroom culture that represents your students is about effort and impact. If your effort is genuine, curious, and consistent, your scholars will reward you with their engagement, trust, and vulnerability. 

In a time where our textbooks and resources are being challenged left and right, we can do our part in shaping equitable education spaces by living the diversity and inclusion we know, love, and value. 

The impact is allowing your scholars to see the power in contributing to the success of their education and the excellence of the classroom using what’s already inside of them. Allowing your scholars to positively impact the classroom culture and expand the knowledge of their peers creates a lasting impact that goes beyond the minutes and hours they spend in your class. 

Start by implementing just one of these practices from Chris Collins, and watch how it transforms your classroom culture. Want more? Want personalized professional development? Want to equip your educators with more tools to engage students in meaningful ways, celebrate their backgrounds, and create a learning environment where all students thrive? 

Bring Chris or CoolSpeak to your school and take the next step in leveling up your school community.