This weekend, with UN Day coming up, I am thinking about culture. An important yet cryptic element in our everyday interactions, the behaviors and expectations engrained in our students’ brains heavily impact their behaviors and expectations in our classrooms.
There are many definitions of culture, which primarily refer to the arts, beliefs, and customs of a group of people. I once attended a workshop where culture was defined as the “collective programming of the mind” that distinguishes one group of people from another. I like this definition, because I think the word “programming” really evokes an idea of the invisible parts of culture: the mindsets, the attitudes, the values. These are at the core of any culture; they are often so deeply rooted in our upbringing that we don’t even realize they are there. Yet they heavily influence the way our students (and parents) approach school, teachers, community, and learning—and likewise the way we, as teachers, approach students, parents, and curriculum. So as we approach a day where we celebrate an organization that brings together the many peoples of the world, I am taking some time to reflect on what my students bring to the table, and how I use that in my classroom.
How do you see the effects of your own multicultural environment? What challenges and blessings does a heterogeneous classroom present?
Dear Janine.,
I would love to use your Iceberg model in my bachelor thesis about culture (properly referenced). It summarizes the whole concept perfectly.
Can I get your pemission?
Dear Mitch,
That would be fine. Please reference my full name (Janine Slaga) and the website (www.janinesmusicroom.com). I am glad to hear that my iceberg will be helpful.
Kind regards,
Janine
Dear Janine,
I would like to use your cultural iceberg image in my teaching of mythology in an online classroom to help students understand their own identity before trying to describe other groups’ identities from myths.
If you do allow this, and I’d be very appreciative if you did, is there a specific way you would like me to reference it?
Yours,
Clover J. Afokpa
Dear Clover,
That would be fine. Please reference my full name (Janine Slaga) and the website (www.janinesmusicroom.com). I am glad to hear that my iceberg will be helpful.
Kind regards,
Janine
Dear Janine,
Thank you so much for the positive and swift reply.
Yours,
Clover
Kia ora Janine
I would like to use your illustration of the cultural iceberg for a counselling lecture I will be giving in two days time, can I use it, referencing your name and website too please
Hi Janine, I love your iceberg. I am on the Diversity and Inclusivity (I know, but languagge is fluid, right?) Committee at my work place. May I use the iceberg for posting at work?
It’s a great reminder of why our purpose is often so difficult.
Peace
Pat Gyenes
Hi Patricia,
Yes, feel free to use the iceberg as long as I am cited on the graphic.
Thank you.
Hi Janine,
I would also like to use your image in a presentation I am preparing for other teachers. It is so brilliant. I never thought of those cultural aspects of everyone’s personality that are below the surface, but most important nonetheless. I will credit you (full name and website). Is that o.k.?
Rochelle
I would also like to use your iceberg diagram for a presentation on folktales I am presenting to NYSTESOL. Do I have your permission? I will credit you and include your full name and website.
Sincerely,
Rochelle
May I use your diagram in a presentation on folktales? I will cite you and your website under the references. Thank You.
Hi Rochelle,
Yes, you are welcome to use it in a presentation, as long as you cite it with the graphic. Thank you.
Hi Janine –
We would love to use your Cultural Iceberg model for our Employee Asisstance Seminars. Can you kindly confirm the proper steps for us to use this image?
Thanks!
Adriana
Dear Janine –
Our team would love to use your Culture Iceberg Model for our Employee Assistance Program Seminars. We kindly ask if we may use your model to present to our seminars upon your approval.
Kind Regards,
Adriana Torres
Hi Adriana,
I’m so glad you have found this model helpful. Please feel welcome to use it in your seminars, as long as you credit it properly. I will send you an email.
Kind regards,
Janine