Cultural and linguistic responsiveness (CLR) supports all students through an equity lens. This way of being brings consciousness to the unique and diverse strengths that each individual has. This awareness allows us to be open and intentional in the ways that we interact with and support one another. We are committed to growing the mindset and skill set of every educator through continuous professional learning in multiple styles, environments, and topics. The visual below reflects the awareness of our district efforts to recognize and affirm the complexities of our diverse organization and community. These aspects complement and support one another, with the goal of reaching equity in the classroom for all learners. Our district intentionally has embraced this approach since February 2019.

Dr. Sharroky Hollie, a national educator and training facilitator in the area of cultural responsiveness, defines CLRI as “The validation and affirmation of the home (indigenous) culture and home language for the purposes of building and bridging the student to success in the culture of academia and mainstream society.” —Hollie, Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Teaching and Learning: Classroom Practices for Student Success (2011), p. 23

Multiple school campuses are on this journey, including Puesta del Sol Elementary, Ernest Stapleton Elementary, and Rio Rancho High. We now have educators who have participated in some form of CLRI training at every RRPS campus. Additionally, numerous school administrators, teacher leaders, support staff, and several district administrators have been engaged deeply in this work for several years, taking part in both state- and district-level initiatives.

Those multi-pronged efforts have been grounded in the work of Dr. Brené Brown through Dare to Lead book studies and workshops, as well as through cultural competency training sessions, Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain by Zaretta Hammond, and AVID’s Culturally Relevant Training. Most recently, RRPS has assembled a V.A.B.B. team. V.A.B.B. stands for Validate, Affirm, Build, and Bridge, coined by Dr. Hollie. Teachers from across a variety of campuses are planning and facilitating professional learning for their peers around CLRI themes.

Rio Rancho Public Schools