Write a 3- to 4-page paper that addresses the following questions:

1. What is your personal assessment of you own cultural competence (as an educator or educational leader)?
2. Describe at least 2 strategies that will enhance your own cultural competence (as an educator or educational leader).
3. As a current, or future, educator or educational leader why is an understanding of diverse student learners and cultural competence important?
   1. How does your understanding impact students?
   2. How does your understanding impact your colleagues?

Assignment Expectations

Your paper should be 3 – 4 pages.

Respond to all portions of the assignment prompt.

Provide an introductory and concluding paragraph for the paper.

Reference at least 2 – 3 background readings from the module.

Cite all references using APA format.

Provide a reference list in APA format.

Background

Part III: Opening the Doors of Possibility: Strategies for Closing Achievement Gaps (p. 205 – 269)
Murphy, J. (2010). The Educator’s Handbook for Understanding and Closing Achievement Gaps. Thousand Oaks, Calif: Corwin.

Chapter 4: Creating Inclusive Learning Communities (p. 79 – 103)
Chapter 5: Supporting Change in Course Design (p. 104 – 128)
D’Andrea, V., Gosling, D., & Society for Research into Higher, E. (2005). Improving Teaching and Learning: A Whole Institution Approach. Maidenhead, England: McGraw-Hill Education.

Chapter 9: Cultural Competence: Gauging and Achieving Impact
Nichols, E. J. (2013). Cultural Competence in America’s Schools : Leadership, Engagement and Understanding. Charlotte: Information Age Publishing.

Chapter 4: Meeting the Needs of Adult Learners
Peart, S. (2014). Equality and Diversity in Further Education. Nortwich: Critical Publishing.

Chapter 7: Influences of Diverse University Contexts on Students’ Ethnic Identity
Ortiz, A. M., & Santos, S. J. (2009). Ethnicity in College : Advancing Theory and Improving Diversity Practices on Campus. Sterling, Va: Stylus Publishing.

Chapter 17: Achieving Cultural Competence as a Practitioner, Student, or Faculty Member
Cooper, D. L., Howard-Hamilton, M. F., & Cuyjet, M. J. (2011). Multiculturalism on Campus: Theory, Models, and Practices for Understanding Diversity and Creating Inclusion. Sterling, Va: Stylus Publishing.