Date of Award

8-2004

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Teaching, Learning and Educational Studies

First Advisor

Dr. Lauren Freedman

Second Advisor

Dr. Toby Daspit

Third Advisor

Dr. Allison Young

Access Setting

Masters Thesis-Campus Only

Abstract

This study explored teachers and cultural awareness in general education classrooms. The purpose of this study was to determine how culturally aware teachers are of the African American students in their classrooms. Five teachers from the Kalamazoo/Portage area were participants for this study. Data was collected using a survey, interviews, and observations. Results from the study revealed that: (a) teachers are in full support of including culture into the classroom, (b) teachers felt it was necessary to read and enhance their knowledge about their students' culture in order to become culturally aware, ( c) teachers are filling in the cultural gaps that are missing in the curriculum, and ( d) the structure of the curriculum inhibits teachers from including students' culture in their classrooms.

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