PowerPoint on preparing multiculturally competent school counselors

1. Preparing Multiculturally
Competent School Counselors
Charlette Taylor
Katrina Brooks

2. Terminology
 Race – originally used to categorize people on the basis of
skin color. Currently race is a social construction that
addresses social and political dynamics that subordinate
non-White groups.
 Ethnicity – refers to groups that share cultural heritage, as
well as political and economic interests, nationality, and
language.
 Culture – ways of living developed by a group of human
beings to meet their needs. Often includes patterns of
thought, behavior, communication, customs, values and
beliefs.
 Competence – implies having the capacity to function
effectively.

3. What is
Multicultural
Competence?

4. Definition
Cultural competence is having an awareness of
one’s own cultural identity and views about
difference, and the ability to learn and build on
the varying cultural and community norms of
students and their families (National Education Association).
Cultural competence is a developmental process
that evolves over an extended period. Both
individuals and organizations are at various levels
of awareness, knowledge, and skills along the
cultural continuum. (National Center for Cultural Competence)

6. Multicultural Counseling
Competence and Training
Survey- Revised (School

7. Pedersen’s (1994) Cultural Competence
Model
Skills
Knowledge
Awareness

8. Pedersen’s (1994) Cultural Competence
Model
Awareness: awareness of own attitudes, biases, and
assumptions about human behavior as well as the sociopolitical
issues that confront culturally different individuals
Knowledge: accumulation of factual information about
different cultural groups. Acquire knowledge and understanding
of the worldview of culturally diverse individuals and groups.
Skills: integration of awareness and knowledge competencies
to develop appropriate and effective helping, teaching,
communication, and intervention strategies with culturally
diverse groups and individuals.

9. Mason et al. (1996) Cultural Competence Model
1. Cultural destructiveness – acknowledgement of differences is
refused
2. Cultural incapacity – differences are widely ignored
3. Cultural blindness – cultural differences are not viewed as
important
4. Cultural pre-competence – the need for cultural competence is
recognized
5. Cultural competence – differences are acknowledged and
students’ cultural experiences are valued and integrated into
learning experiences

10. Why do we need multiculturally competent
counselors?
 To demonstrate multicultural, ethical and professional
competencies in planning, organizing, implementing and
evaluating the comprehensive school counseling program
 To meet the needs of students from various cultural
backgrounds
 To close achievement gaps between students of different
cultures
 To increase representation of students in Gifted and
Talented, Advanced Placement, and accelerated courses.

11. Ways School Counselors Can Increase
Multicultural Competence
 Begin by examining your awareness, biases, beliefs, and
assumptions about human behavior.
 Examine your own cultural or ethnic background and
experiences
 Read literature written by ethnic minority authors or
about ethnic cultures
 Become familiar with and stay abreast of multicultural
education literature
 Actively participate and engage in activities that enhance
multicultural sensitivity
 Attend workshops, conferences, and other professional
development events that focus on multicultural issues

12. Multicultural Group Exercise
1.Determine the nature of the dilemma.
2.How do you assess the scenario through your own
cultural lens?
3.Determine a course of action.
4.In what ways did the scenario challenge your
multicultural competence?

13. How will you know
when you’re
multiculturally
competent?