Green Thumb Educating
In this chapter, the author presents the metaphor Green Thumb Educating to describe a culturally responsive approach common amongst culturally responsive educators in literature. Through this culturally responsive approach, students are empowered and held to high expectations and supported through rigorous academic obstacles. The author demonstrates how educators' beliefs about developing positive and meaningful rapport with children shapes their culturally responsive approach. The author makes the case that culturally responsive educators, also known as Green Thumb Educators, approach the teaching and learning process by first prioritizing the development of meaningful relationships with students. Culturally responsive educators approach culturally and linguistically diverse students like ESL learners by creating a sense of belonging in their classroom through the development of meaningful relationships.