Title: Culturally Competent School Counseling: A Conceptual Framework for Understanding and Addressing Cultural Diversity in Schools

Authors: Derald W. Sue, Don-David L. Mathews, and Connie D. Hernandez

Journal: The Journal of Counseling and Development, Vol. 77, No. 4, 2009

Summary:

This article provides a comprehensive conceptual framework for understanding and addressing cultural diversity in schools. The authors define multicultural competence as the ability to effectively work with people from diverse cultural backgrounds. They then outline the three dimensions of multicultural competence: awareness, knowledge, and skills. The authors also discuss the importance of cultural humility, which is the ongoing process of learning about one’s own cultural biases and assumptions.

Observations and Takeaways:

• Multicultural competence is an essential skill for school counselors in today’s increasingly diverse schools.
• Cultural humility is a key component of multicultural competence.
• School counselors can develop their multicultural competence through a variety of means, including coursework, professional development, and personal reflection.
• School counseling programs should be designed to promote cultural competence in all students.

Additional Thoughts:

The article by Sue, Mathews, and Hernandez is a valuable resource for school counselors who are interested in developing their multicultural competence. The authors provide a clear and concise overview of the topic, as well as practical suggestions for implementing multicultural competence training.

In addition to the information provided in the article, I would also like to add that multicultural competence is a dynamic process that requires ongoing effort and commitment. School counselors should not view multicultural competence as a destination, but rather as a journey. As we continue to learn and grow, we will become more effective in working with students from diverse cultural backgrounds.