The Culture-Centered Classroom

The Culture of Celebration Series As the winter season unfolds, many classrooms begin to feel a little cattywampus. Schedules shift, energy runs high, budgets feel tight, and the pressure to “make it magical” can quickly become overwhelming.In this episode of The Culture Centered Classroom, Jocelynn introduces The Joy Budget a reframe that reminds educators that the most meaningful celebrations do not require money, elaborate plans, or Pinterest worthy perfection. Instead, they are built on connection, care, cultural competence, and co creation.This episode builds directly on the first three episodes of the series, offering practical, zero cost strategies for honoring diverse traditions, sustaining joy, and strengthening classroom community during the winter months.In This Episode You Will ExploreWhy celebration does not need a financial budgetJocelynn reframes celebration as a practice rooted in relationship rather than resources, emphasizing that connection is the true currency of joy.How cultural competence guides winter celebrationsThis episode revisits the idea that culture is not decoration and that honoring diverse observances requires intention, humility, and care rather than surface level activities.The power of co creation during the holiday seasonBy inviting students into planning and decision making, educators reduce their own workload while honoring student agency and belonging.Zero cost celebration ideas aligned with the AnchorED for Achievement frameworkYou will hear practical examples includingCo creation audits The Global Light ShareAffirmation artifactsCelebration dance breaksCommunity norms reflection circlesEach idea is grounded in agency, empowerment, community, hope, and reflection.Why joy is a strategic practice not a seasonal eventJocelynn connects these practices to long term culture building, showing how intentional celebration strengthens equity, belonging, and emotional safety.Reflection Questions for EducatorsWhat does celebration currently cost me in time, energy, or stressHow can I shift from planning for students to co creating with themWhich traditions or celebrations feel meaningful in my classroom and which feel performativeHow does cultural competence influence the way I approach winter celebrationsWhat joyful practices should carry beyond this season and into everyday classroom lifeResources MentionedBack to School Series Freebie Lesson 1 from The First 10 Days Building Classroom Belonging customteachingsolutions.com/btsfreeFocus Word Reflection Kit Available in the Virtual Learning Library and on Teachers Pay Teachers

In this episode of The Culture-Centered Classroom, we explore one of the most essential and misunderstood aspects of culturally responsive practice: the difference between celebrating culture and appropriating it.Building on Episodes 1 and 2, Jocelynn offers a grounded, compassionate, and culturally competent look at what happens when celebration intersects with identity, history, and lived experience—especially during the diverse and emotionally charged winter season.This episode is not about shame, it’s about clarity, courage, care, and cultural competence.What You’ll Learn in This Episode: The Clear Distinction Between Appreciation and AppropriationJocelynn breaks down the difference through the lens of intent vs. impact, emphasizing that cultural celebration without context or permission can unintentionally cause harm—even when well-intentioned.Why Cultural Competence Must Guide CelebrationYou’ll learn four truths cultural competence teaches us:Culture is not decorationTraditions carry emotional and historical weightSymbols have context and meaningPractices emerge from lived experience—not Pinterest boardsThese truths help prevent “performing diversity” and instead foster authentic cultural appreciation.A Real-World Example: Florida State Seminoles FootballJocelynn uses the Florida State Seminoles as a concrete case study of how permission, relationship, and collaboration create a model for cultural appreciation rather than appropriation.This example helps educators understand the importance of community consent, not assumption.Why We Must Avoid the “Single Story” TrapDrawing on Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s powerful TED Talk, The Danger of a Single Story, Jocelynn explains how incomplete narratives shape misunderstanding, bias, and cultural harm.This example reinforces the need for multiple voices, not stereotypes or oversimplified representations.A Simple 3-Step Guide for Culturally Respectful CelebrationAligned with the AnchorED for Achievement framework, Jocelynn shares a practical, actionable method:Reflect — examine assumptions, intentions, and classroom normsLearn — seek authentic sources, voices, and historical contextImplement — co-create celebrations with students and familiesThis guide helps you celebrate culture with confidence—not fear.Reflection Questions for EducatorsWhat assumptions do I bring into cultural celebrations?Whose voice is centered? Whose voice is missing?Is this cultural element being used with permission, understanding, and respect?How does this celebration deepen belonging for all students?How can I create space for students to share (or not share) their traditions with agency?Resources MentionedTED Talk: The Danger of a Single Story – Chimamanda Ngozi AdichieBack-to-School Series Freebie: Lesson 1 + activities👉 customteachingsolutions.com/btsfreeFocus Word Reflection Kit – available in the Virtual Learning Library and TPT store

The Culture of Celebration SeriesIn this second episode of The Culture of Celebration, Jocelynn explores how meaningful, equity-centered celebration goes far beyond seasonal holidays and big events.Real celebration—the kind that builds trust, belonging, and resilience—lives in the micro-moments we notice, honor, and name every single day.As students and educators navigate the emotional highs and lows of the winter season, this episode offers a compassionate, culturally responsive reframing of what it truly means to celebrate one another in ways that feel safe, affirming, and authentically human.This conversation is a continuation of the work we began in Episode 1 and beautifully connects back to your Back-to-School series, “The First 10 Days: Building Classroom Belonging.” It’s the perfect mid-year reminder that the roots you planted in August need care, water, and attention in November and December.In This Episode, You’ll Learn:Why the holiday season requires deeper care and cultural responsivenessJocelynn highlights how disrupted routines, varied cultural traditions, and heightened emotions make micro-celebrations especially powerful in November and December.What micro-celebrations actually are—and why they matterDiscover how tiny, intentional acts of noticing effort, growth, and courage strengthen classroom culture far more than large events or public ceremonies.How cultural competence shapes our understanding of celebrationWe often assume students want to be celebrated the way we prefer to be celebrated. Jocelynn challenges that lens and offers strategies for honoring cultural variation with humility and intention.The essential role of the AnchorED for Achievement and AAA FrameworksLearn how micro-celebrations reinforce Agency, Empowerment, Community, Hope, Opportunity, and Awareness—core components of your instructional and relational practice.Why this is the perfect time to revisit your Back-to-School workJocelynn invites educators to reflect on everything learned during The First 10 Days: Building Classroom Belonging—identity, voice, norms, storytelling—and use those insights to shape mid-year celebrations with greater care and nuance.Download the free Day 1 lesson & activities at: customteachingsolutions.com/btsfreeHow administrators can support teachers through micro-celebrationsSchool leaders receive specific, actionable ideas for recognizing the adults who hold the emotional and community labor of the school.Practical, ready-to-use micro-celebration routinesTry Joy Journals, “We Noticed” boards, one-word celebrations, shout-out postcards, or 30-second video affirmations—simple ideas teachers can implement tomorrow.Reflective Questions for EducatorsWhat small moments did I notice today that are worth celebrating?Which students thrive with public affirmation—and which prefer quiet celebration?How do my own cultural experiences shape the way I define “care” and “celebration”?What norms around celebration did we build in August? Do they still serve us now?How can micro-celebrations help stabilize or strengthen our classroom culture this season?Related ResourcesBack-to-School Lesson 1 Freebie: customteachingsolutions.com/btsfreeFocus Word Reflection Kit for culturally responsive year-end reflection (Virtual Learning Library + TPT)Connect with JocelynnInstagram: @iteachcustomLinkedIn: Jocelynn HubbardWebsite: customteachingsolutions.com

As we enter the winter holiday season — a time filled with classroom parties, family gatherings, cultural traditions, and moments of both joy and complexity — this new series, The Culture of Celebration, invites educators to pause and ask a powerful question:What are we really celebrating?In this first episode, Jocelynn unpacks the deeper meaning behind celebration, explores the connection between culture and recognition, and models how cultural competence helps us design celebrations that are equitable, authentic, and inclusive for every student.Whether you love the holidays, find this season heavy, or fall somewhere in between, this episode offers grounding, compassion, and practical insight for educators navigating November and December with intention.In this episode we explore:Why this episode matters during Thanksgiving week and the National Day of MourningHow the holidays can bring both joy and tension for students and familiesThe difference between celebration as performance and celebration as meaningHow celebrations tell a story about what a community valuesA clear, accessible definitionWhy cultural competence is a mindset shift, not a checklistHow our own cultural lens shapes classroom celebrationsHow her approach to holiday travel and traditions transformedMoving from “this is how we’ve always done it” to “what do we actually need right now?”The role that grief, motherhood, and healing played in redefining celebrationHow to use the AnchorED principles (Agency, Norms, Community, Hope, Opportunity, Reflection, Empowerment, Data-Informed Practice) to evaluate classroom and school celebrations:Opportunity: Who gets seen?Agency: Who gets to choose how they are celebrated?Norms: What values guide recognition?Community: Whose stories are centered?Hope + Empowerment: Are we uplifting what is possible?Reflection: What messages are we sending?Themes inspired by Oriah Mountain Dreamer’s “The Invitation”Why authentic celebration centers truth, humanity, and belongingHow to move beyond calendar-based celebrations to culture-based celebrationsReflection Questions:Use these alone, with a colleague, or in a team meeting:What do our current classroom or school celebrations communicate about what we value?Whose traditions, identities, or stories are highlighted? Whose are overlooked?How might we invite more student agency into celebration?What would celebration look like if it honored each student’s story, comfort, and cultural lens?Where can we shift from performance to authenticity?Related Resources:If this episode inspires you to rethink celebration in your classroom, check out Jocelynn’s Focus Word Reflection Kit — a set of worksheets and slides designed to help you and your students enter the new year with intention, authenticity, and joy.Available in the Virtual Learning Library and Teachers Pay Teachers store.Connect:Instagram: @customteachingsolutionsLinkedIn: Jocelynn HubbardWebsite: customteachingsolutions.com

This episode is a love letter to the hard, holy, and unfinished work of equity; a celebration of every educator who stayed in the fight. We ground our reflection in the fierce resilience of Maya Angelou's Still I Rise and the promise of our ancestors.The work is challenging, but our commitment to move forward (Still We Move) remains fierce. Join us for a final reflection on the questions that shaped this season and learn the 3 practical commitments you need to anchor your spirit and sustain your energy through the next chapter.Key Takeaways from Episode 10Rest as Resistance: Understand why pausing with purpose and releasing the heavy weight of the work is a strategic move, not a weakness.The Ancestral Blueprint: We reflect on the wisdom of liberation architects like Mary McLeod Bethune who taught us how to build with vision in the face of limitation.The AnchorED Challenge: Discover the 3 Actionable Commitments (The Still We Move Trio) designed using the AnchorED framework to transition from reflection into immediate, sustainable action.You Are the Dream: A profound reminder that your courage, your presence, and your joy in the classroom are the legacy of generations of hope.Looking Ahead: The Culture of Celebration:I'm thrilled to announce the launch of our next series: "The Culture of Celebration: Joy as an Equity Strategy."This series is your intentional pivot into renewal. We'll explore why affirmation and joy are vital to sustaining anti-racist work. We'll conclude the series by sharing my revised process for choosing a focus word or phrase for 2026—a blueprint for anchoring your next year in clarity and intention.In this episode I mention:Maya AngelouJames BaldwinMary McLeod BethuneW.E.B. Du BoisPaulo FreireGholdy MuhammadJimmy CasasThe AnchorED for Achievement FrameworkResources to Anchor Your Work:Comprehensive Support - https://customteachingsolutions.com/servicesVirtual Learning Library - https://customteachingsolutions.com/virtuallearningTeaching Materials - https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/custom-teaching-solutionsActivities for creating a welcoming and inclusive class - Buy resources in my TEACHER SHOP!Culture-Centered Teacher WORKSHOPS - Click HERE for more information Ready to Take Action?FREE Roadmap: Grab your FREE "The Welcoming & Inclusive Classroom Classroom Roadmap" at: https://customteachingsolutions.com/theroadmapDiscovery Call: Schedule a free DISCOVERY CALL to discuss bringing the AnchorED framework to your team: https://calendly.com/customteachingsolutions/35minCheck out The Culture-Centered Teacher Workshops HERE!Connect with me:Email - [email protected] - https://www.linkedin.com/company/cts-custom-teaching-solutions/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/iteachcustom/Website - https://customteachingsolutions.com**Custom Teaching Solutions is an affiliate for Bookshop.org, which means we receive a commission on every sale that comes through our link at no additional cost to you.**