Online learning has provided pathways for access to flexible educational experiences, but can also feel isolating and impersonal, lacking authentic relationships with instructors and peers. Centering the discussion of humanizing distance education through the lens of three core pedagogical components of teaching and learning (i.e., instruction, engagement, and assessment) exemplifies how: (1) online instruction can be taught through culturally relevant pedagogies; (2) student engagement can be fostered through increased social presence; and (3) online assessment practices can lean into students' assets. To that end, this article discusses three overarching responsive practices that can be used to support the design and implementation of human-centered experiences in online learning.