Pedagogy in American Classrooms

Pedagogy is a philosophy that encourages educators to help students develop critical thinking skills and critique structures of power and oppression. This educational approach has often been labeled progressive or radical due to its critique of societal norms and status quos.

Teachers have a significant impact on student achievement, so it is essential that they use pedagogy to improve their classrooms and facilitate student learning. Furthermore, instructors should take into account the unique needs of their students so they can tailor their approach and methods accordingly.

In American classrooms, several pedagogical approaches can be employed: asset-based teaching, culturally relevant instruction, critical pedagogy and culturally responsive and sustaining pedagogy. These pedagogies place students’ identities and experiences at the center of classroom instruction while equipping them with lifelong learners who can critically and positively engage with others.

Asset-Based Pedagogies

As America has moved towards a more diverse society, scholars have developed teaching methods and practices that incorporate the knowledge of historically marginalized communities into classroom instruction as tools for effective instructional techniques. These approaches are commonly referred to as asset-based pedagogies and include strategies like those described by Ladson-Billings, Gay, Hammond and other education researchers who have explored these approaches in depth.

These pedagogies are grounded in theories and research that highlight how traditional education systems replicate oppressive systems without centering learners’ experiences to challenge those systems. Furthermore, they strive to empower students with skills such as cross-cultural communication, critical thinking, and caring behavior so they can overcome those systems by themselves.

Despite the increasing emphasis on diversity and inclusion in American schools, educators still face numerous obstacles when it comes to implementing these practices in their classrooms. This is often due to racial biases which can negatively impact student performance; furthermore, teachers may struggle with microaggressions or other forms of racism that negatively impact teaching and learning environments. Fortunately, steps can be taken to prevent such issues from arising in the first place.