In New Zealand, as in many western democracies, the continuing disparity in educational outcomes has resulted in a growing call for changes in teacher preparation to better support culturally diverse learners in ways that are responsive to the particular national and cultural contexts. This paper presents findings from a teacher education program specifically designed to address this national need by preparing new teachers “who are critical pedagogues, action competent and culturally responsive.” Grounded in socio-cultural theory, this practitioner-inquiry examines how the iterative use of a synthesizing framework within the program supports secondary teacher candidates to develop their professional identity as culturally responsive teachers.