Culturally Responsive Teaching and The Brain: Promoting Authentic Engagement and Rigor Among Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students

Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain

• Genre: Nonfiction; Education; Pedagogy; Neuropsychology
• Originally Published: 2014
• Reading Level/Interest: College/Adult
• Structure/Length: Organized into three parts with multiple chapters, an introduction, and an epilogue; approx. 192 pages; approx. 7 hours and 25 minutes on audiobook.
• Central Concern: In her first book, Zaretta L. Hammond examines the intersection of cultural responsiveness in the classroom and neuroscience. She highlights how educators can utilize an understanding of brain function to create more inclusive, engaging, and effective learning environments for diverse student populations. By combining research from the fields of neuroscience and culturally responsive pedagogy, Hammond provides educators with practical strategies to better serve their students, particularly those from historically marginalized communities.
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: In-depth discussions on cultural disparities in education; mentions of systemic biases

Zaretta L. Hammond, Author

• Bio: Former writing teacher turned educational consultant and author; passionate about the application of neuroscience in classroom teaching; advocates for equity and culturally responsive education
• Other Works: While Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain is one of her most recognized works, she has contributed to other publications and educational materials focusing on culturally responsive pedagogy.

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Guide:

• Disparities in Public Education
• The Intersection of Science and Social Justice
• The Responsibility of Consciousness