Assignment 2: Identity & Classroom Culture Analysis

Purpose

This assignment allows you to analyze how teacher and student identities shape classroom culture. Building on Dena Simmons TED Talk and the Module 2 Identity & Classroom Culture Brief: Culturally Responsive Teaching, Identity, and Belonging (Whitfield), you will explore how emotional safety, belonging, and culturally responsive practices influence student engagement and success.

Task Instructions

Write a 350500 word analysis that synthesizes ideas from:

Dena Simmons talk: How Students of Color Confront Impostor Syndrome
Module 2 Identity & Classroom Culture Brief (Whitfield)

Your analysis must address:

How student identity and belonging influence engagement and academic confidence.
How teachers can create emotionally safe, identity-affirming classrooms, using at least one idea from the Whitfield brief.
One specific culturally responsive action or strategy you plan to use in your own future classroom to affirm diverse student identities and reduce impostor feelings.

Your writing should be clear, reflective, anchored in the assigned materials, and aligned to APA expectations.

Formatting Requirements

Length: 350500 words
Double-spaced, Times New Roman, 12 pt
APA 7 formatting (in-text citations + reference list)
Submit as PDF or Word document

Submission Requirements

Upload your file directly to Canvas.
Only PDF or DOCX formats will be accepted.

Due Date

Due: Sunday, February 8, 2026 @ 11:59 PM
Grace Period: Monday, February 9, 2026 @ 8:00 AM
Opens: January 26, 2026

Grading (50 points)

Assessment will be based on:

Integration of Simmons key ideas
Effective use of the Module 2 brief
Depth and clarity of analysis
Connection to culturally responsive practice
APA accuracy
Professional quality of writing

Standards Alignment

InTASC Standards 2 & 3
CAEP Standard 1
GSU Conceptual Framework: Knowledge, Skills, Dispositions

Requirements: 350+ words

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Education & Teaching Question