Chicago's teachers are Cultural Connections' primary audience. By focusing on educators as key disseminators the program and its message of understanding diversity is relayed to Chicago public school children. The program encourages teachers to communicate more effectively with students of diverse ethnic, cultural, linguistic, and socio-economic backgrounds. When we acknowledge and work to understand our own cultural perspectives, a multicultural learning environment becomes possible.

In addition to public educational events, Cultural Connections offers special Cultural Connections Teacher Courses. Level I: Transform Your Teaching begins in September and February of each year, and Level II: Transform Your Classroom, for alumni of Level I, is offered each summer.  These Courses provide teachers with professional development credits as they develop an anthropological understanding of diversity and become familiar with the city's cultural resources. The courses are an effective way to fill the void in teacher education concerning the impact of multiculturalism on classroom learning. More than 600 teachers have participated in Cultural Connections to date, and of those, over 275 teachers have formally enrolled in the courses.

By completing each course, teachers can receive 1 Lane Credit hour, 15 Continuing Professional Development Units (CPDUs), and1 semester hour of National-Louis University Graduate Credit. Teachers who are not enrolled in the course but who come to Cultural Connections events can receive 2.5 CPDUs per event.

“How can I teach my students about the value of cultural diversity?”
During the Level I course, Cultural Connections staff of The Field Museum guide teachers through discussions on key concepts in anthropology and cultural diversity in the classroom while introducing teachers to some of Chicago’s diverse ethnic communities and cultural resources. Teachers attend three focus sessions at the Field Museum - where they concentrate on anthropological practice and application - and participate in three of the public Cultural Connections events at partner locations. 

“How can I incorporate anthropology and partner resources into my classroom?”
During the Level II course, teachers draw on their experience in Level I to create lesson plans and projects for the classroom that utilize community-based ethnic museums and cultural centers as resources. To this end, Cultural Connections partners are directly involved in the project development process throughout the four focused sessions that make up the course. The idea is to work collaboratively with partners to create projects that incorporate a “first voice” perspective, address contemporary community concerns, and fit required curriculum goals in a practical way.

The courses address the Chicago Reading Initiative Framework as well as the following Illinois Professional Teaching Standards and State Goals:

Illinois Professional Teaching Standards:

• The teacher understands how individuals grow, develop, and learn and provides learning opportunities that support the intellectual, social, and personal development of all students.

• The competent teacher understands how students differ in their approaches to learning and creates instructional opportunities that are adapted to diverse learners.

• The competent teacher understands the role of the community in education and develops and maintains collaborative relationships with colleagues, parents/guardians, and the community to support students' learning and well-being.

• The competent teacher is a reflective practitioner who continually evaluates how choices and actions affect students, parents, and other professionals in the learning community and actively seeks opportunities to grow professionally.

• The teacher understands education as a profession, maintains standards of professional conduct, and provides leadership to improve student learning and well-being.