ACPS Culturally Responsive Educator Framework 2025-26

Click Here for the ACPS Culturally Responsive Teaching Self-Assessment

CRT Characteristic #1:  Culturally Responsive Teachers acknowledge, validate, and incorporate the cultural influences of all students, while reflecting on their own personal cultural lenses.

1.1 Reflects on personal cultural influences, including the way these may impact communication styles, expectations, and unconscious biases.

1.2 Fosters classroom environments that create opportunities for access and achievement by acknowledging, valuing, advocating, and affirming social and cultural diversity in all aspects of the learning process.

1.3 Analyzes, selects, and integrates inclusive curriculum and instructional resources that represent and validate social and cultural diversity by connecting classroom curriculum and instruction to the cultural examples, experiences, backgrounds, and traditions of all learners.

 

CRT Characteristic #2:  Culturally Responsive Teachers teach to and through culture as they plan curriculum and instruction that is differentiated, rigorous, and relevant.

2.1  Disaggregates assessment, engagement, behavioral, and attendance data by student social and cultural groups and identifies and applies differentiated strategies to address growth and learning needs of all students with specific attention to students who are impacted by equity, opportunity, and achievement gaps.

2.2 Considers and utilizes assessment modes that help diverse student groups best demonstrate learning.

2.3 Guides students to develop the skills necessary to communicate and engage with diverse groups in ways that support anti-racist and anti-bias communities while promoting classroom dynamics that enhance belonging, inclusivity, and respect for difference.

 

CRT Characteristic #3: Culturally Responsive Teachers build positive learning partnerships with students, families, and communities.

3.1 Builds meaningful, culturally responsive partnerships with all students anchored in affirmation, mutual respect, validation, and high expectations so that all students are supported to achieve rigorous academic goals.

3.2 Develops culturally-conscious, asset-based partnerships with families by putting structures in place for meaningful collaboration, including communicating with families in their home languages, in order to build trust and form mutually agreed upon learning goals for students.

3.3 Pursues a community partnership approach to education by inviting the cultural wisdom of the community into the classroom and building on community funds of knowledge to support the education of all students.

Culturally Responsive Educator (CRE) Book Study

Build the Foundation

The Culturally Responsive Educator (CRE) Book Study is the starting point in the pathway. Using Zaretta Hammond’s Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain, educators build a common foundation for understanding how culture and identity shape learning.

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How It Works

Educators participate in a cohort-based book study that blends whole-group instruction, discussion, and reflection. The design moves from introduction to practice:

• Introduction: Explore the key characteristics of culturally responsive education

• Framework: Learn Hammond’s Ready for Rigor Framework and its four quadrants

• Reflection: Engage individually and in small groups to process learning

• Application: Begin applying key concepts and document insights in a workbook companion

Workbook Companion

The Book Study Workbook Companion supports deep reflection and connects directly to the credentialing process. Educators use it to:

• Document their professional learning and growth

• Track shifts in instructional practices

• Collect data and examples of student impact

For those continuing into the Micro-Credential, workbook entries can be carried forward to strengthen later submissions.

 

Why It Matters

The book study is more than professional reading—it lays the foundation for culturally responsive practice across ACPS. By engaging deeply with Hammond’s work, educators prepare to create classrooms that:

• Affirm student identity

• Build belonging and trust

• Accelerate academic growth

"This book study changed how I see my students—and how I design my lessons to connect with them." — ACPS Teacher

 At a Glance: CRE Book Study

• Purpose: Foundation of the CRE pathway

• Format: Cohort-based book study with discussion and reflection

• Learning Focus: Culturally responsive characteristics, Ready for Rigor Framework, reflection, application

• Workbook Connection: Supports documentation and prepares for Micro-Credential

• Impact: Builds shared understanding and skills to create inclusive classrooms

Sample Lessons

You can explore a selection of sample lessons from the Culturally Responsive Educator (CRE) program [here]. These examples provide a glimpse into the kinds of strategies and learning experiences educators engage with.

Please note that these are not the full courses—they are designed to provide families and community members with an overview of the approach and content.

 

 

Culturally Responsive Educator (CRE) Micro-Credential

Deepen Your Practice

The Culturally Responsive Educator (CRE) Micro-Credential is the next step after the book study. It helps teachers move from understanding culturally responsive teaching to applying it consistently in their classrooms.

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How It Works

Educators complete three asynchronous courses, each aligned to the three characteristics of culturally responsive education:

• Foundations – Build on the shared book study (Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain by Zaretta Hammond) to deepen core principles.

• Application – Engage in three online modules that connect Hammond’s framework with the ACPS Culturally Responsive Educator Framework and state cultural competency standards.

• Impact – Document how strategies are applied in the classroom and how they contribute to student growth and engagement.

Throughout the pathway, educators reflect on their practice, strengthen relationships with students, and refine instruction to better meet the needs of all learners.

 

Workbook Connection

The Book Study Workbook Companion continues to serve as a resource during the Micro-Credential. Educators use it to:

• Document professional growth and classroom practice

• Reflect on instructional shifts

• Collect data and examples of student impact

For those who choose to pursue the optional certification, the workbook provides evidence that can be used in the portfolio submission.

Why It Matters

The Micro-Credential turns knowledge into action. By completing this pathway, educators:

• Develop practical strategies that affirm student identity

• Strengthen classroom communities built on respect and belonging

• Improve student engagement and achievement

"Earning the Micro-Credential gave me new ways to connect with my students and helped them see themselves as capable learners." — ACPS Teacher

At a Glance: CRE Micro-Credential

• Purpose: Move from understanding to applying culturally responsive teaching

• Format: Three asynchronous courses, completed after the book study

• Learning Focus:

  • Foundations – Deepen knowledge from Hammond’s book

  • Application – Practice strategies aligned with the ACPS CRE Framework

  • Impact – Show how strategies support student growth and engagement

• Workbook Connection: Use the companion workbook to reflect, document practice, and collect evidence

• Optional Next Step: Can serve as preparation for CRE Certification

 

 

 

 

Culturally Responsive Educator (CRE) Certification

Advance Your Practice

The Culturally Responsive Educator (CRE) Certification is an optional opportunity for educators who want to go beyond the Micro-Credential. Certification allows teachers to demonstrate their professional growth, classroom application, and the positive impact of culturally responsive practices on student learning.

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How It Works

Educators who choose certification develop a professional portfolio that includes:

• Professional Learning: Reflection on the book study and micro-courses

• Professional Growth: Evidence of new skills and instructional shifts

• Application: Examples of culturally responsive practices in the classroom

• Student Impact: Data and documentation showing growth in student engagement and achievement

This process highlights not only what educators have learned, but how they are using it to make a difference for students.

Connection to the CRE Pathway

• Required: Book Study + Micro-Credential

• Optional: Certification (for educators who want to advance further)

• The Workbook Companion continues to be a tool, as educators can use reflections and documentation from earlier stages to strengthen their certification portfolio.

Why It Matters

Certification is more than a credential, it is a recognition of educators who are actively leading for equity in their classrooms and schools.

Educators who complete certification:

• Model culturally responsive practice for colleagues

• Show measurable student growth tied to inclusive strategies

• Help ensure equity remains at the center of teaching and learning in ACPS

"Certification gave me the chance to step back, reflect, and see just how much my students have grown because of the changes I’ve made." — ACPS Teacher

At a Glance: CRE Certification

• Purpose: Optional recognition of advanced culturally responsive practice

• Format: Professional portfolio submission

• Portfolio Includes: Learning, growth, classroom application, and student impact

• Connection: Builds on the Book Study and Micro-Credential

• Impact: Celebrates educators who lead with equity and inspire lasting change

 ACPS Gathers to Celebrate Educators Receiving Culturally Responsive Teacher Credentials 

Congratulations to CRT credentialed and Diversity Resource Teacher  Jessica Eisenhauer for your outstanding work as an educator and equity leader at Monticello High School. When people ask what is the difference between a "good teacher" and a "Culturally Responsive Teacher", you are a shining example. Thank you for all you do.

Congratulations to our own Pecola Conner for being named the 22-23 Classified Staff Member of the Year. Her colleagues describe Pecolia Conner as someone who "holds her students to high standards, both in terms of academics and behavior." That is one of the many reasons Ms. Conner was chosen as ACPS' 2022-23 Classified Staff Member of the Year.

ACPS Equity Team

Equity Coordinator, Dr. Melissa Hairston: mhairston@k12albemarle.org