Nonverbal behavior varies from culture to culture. Misinterpretations of nonverbal messages can significantly affect all teacher-student interactions. Nonverbal behavior includes eye contact, facial expressions, head nods, personal space, body orientation, and touch. Similar expressions or gestures vary greatly in meaning from one culture to another. Correctional educators need knowledge and understanding of nonverbal differences to avoid nonverbal ethnocentrism. They also need to be sensitive in reading their students' nonverbal behavior, to notice their students' learning and communication styles, display pictures and posters that reflect cultural diversity, and take part in workshops on multicultural nonverbal communication patterns. 13 references