Table 2.

Moving toward cultural competence in common language (inspired by Davis, 1993, p. 41)

Common assumptions…	Moving away from…	Moving toward…
…that your students are culturally similar to you	“When your parents were in college, the biology they learned…”	“When I was in college, the biology I learned…”
…about students' religion	“As Christians, as we study evolution…”	“Whatever your religious beliefs, as we study evolution…”
…about students' sexual orientation	“If your wife or husband has cancer one day…”	“If a loved one, spouse, or partner has cancer one day…”
…about the structure of students' families	“Are you going to visit your parents during spring break?”	“Are you going to visit any friends or family during break?”
…about the gender of scientists	“When a biologist sets up an experiment, he…”	“When a biologist sets up an experiment, she…”