“How do I empower students?”

Working in culturally diverse communities can be challenging for teachers, especially if they have limited personal experience of cultural diversity or if they have negative personal experiences. Lack of knowledge about cultural diversity can lead to feelings of insecurity, vulnerability, and lack of confidence which in turn can have a negative impact on teacher efficacy and resilience.

Dr Audrey Fernandez-Satar is passionate about empowering individuals to develop strength, confidence and resilience for working in diverse communities. In the unit, Dynamics of cultural diversity in the workplace and the community, the resilience themes of Relationships and Emotions are central. Starting by drawing on learners’ own experiences, learning activities involve raising self awareness (of beliefs, personal history, dispositions, emotions), reflecting, questioning and challenging, while simultaneously understanding new ideas and new ways of interacting. With an emphasis on ‘no guilt’, individuals learn how a cycle of 3Rs - Relationships, Respect and Responsibility – can be used as a lifelong tool for reflecting on action and improving practice.

Turning learner doubt of Am I capable? to I am capable is where resilience begins.