Poverty... it's worse than we thought!

Poverty... that is what we talked about this week... it was a difficult topic to get through, but one that was needed for us students/future teachers to talk about. 

Many of the children we will instruct will come from the lower income class. They won't have all of their materials because they will be too focused on what to eat for the day or if their clothes are too dirty or wishing they had gotten more sleep during the night. They won't be focused; they will act out. They will be frustrated and give up easily. Reading and learning about all of the statistics of children in poverty can be overwhelming. It makes you think "Well, what can I do!? These kids aren't going to make it!" So what next?

Ruby Payne is amazing! I read a few articles, some by her and some by other authors using her research and strategies, and let me tell ya! They are awesome! They give teachers simple strategies to use within the classroom that makes the whole problem of addressing these kids needs easier! 

https://www.ahaprocess.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Understanding-Poverty-Ruby-Payne-Poverty-Series-I-IV.pdf

The above article is actually several articles, but they offer so many strategies to use within a classroom with students from low-income situations. My favorite article was"Building Learning Structures Inside the Head." It set up an analogy of a house with 4 Learning Structures: 1) Structure 2) Cognitive Strategies (processes) 3) Conceptual frameworks 4) Sorting mechanisms— important from unimportant. I won't go into detail as this blog is already long, but it makes so much sense! You have your main structure - what the main topic is in a subject, and from there you branch out to make sense of the topic. You research the topic; you analyze it; you get all this information about the topic, and then you organize it into models/frames/pictures from the overall concept to more specific details. From there you sort it all out using a model so that the final product makes sense in your head. I know that my explanation of it might not make that much sense, which is why you should go read the article yourself! 

http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/apr08/vol65/num07/Nine-Powerful-Practices.aspx

This article above talks about 9 powerful practices to use within the classroom, and this article was mentioned in class. The most important thing that we teachers can do is to form relationships with the families and the students, show we care. We can help parents and students understand what all they need to accomplish or do in order to be successful within the classroom and outside of the classroom. Relationships are key!

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2013/10/28/five-stereotypes-about-poor-families-and-education/?utm_term=.a5466ba343e8

This article talks about 5 stereotypes people have about poor families. Now, after watching Tammy's story, I would agree with this article; however, I know that's not the case for all poor families. If students get the proper encouragement from family and teachers, they can advance as far as they want to. Many students from poor families simply do not know how to organize/get work done, or talk/act in certain situations, or know how to think about bigger and better things when all they see around them is depravity. It is important for us as instructors to encourage them to do their best, to inform them of hidden rules and how to act and how to organize, and also to set their eyes on future goals. I know it's hard to manage a class full of 30 kids, over half of whom are not focused. You're trying your best to get through your lesson and just get through the day, but it's important for us to take a step back and see how we can make these students see that education is important and will get you far in life. 

We also looked at report cards, and I looked up the county I am from and where I plan on returning when I graduate... Our schools aren't doing too well, which isn't a shock, because the area I live in isn't the best, but still... seeing that grade makes me sad because so many of these kids aren't ready for real life or real college and I want to see them successful. My brother wrote an article talking about how he chose to become a doctor because 1: he saw the suffering my dad went through and how we had to drive approximately an hour to get the care that he needs and 2: he wants to provide care to those that are like us - in rural areas - that need a doctor nearby to attend to their needs instead of  having to drive a ridiculous amount to get to a "good" doctor and a "good" hospital. My brother saw the depravity way before I did, and it makes me want to go back and try to help these students that are dropping out or are not college ready. 

The standard that I want to focus on is standard one: teachers demonstrate leadership. Below this standard it says: "Teachers should: • Take responsibility for all students’ learning; • Communicate vision to students; • Use data to organize, plan, and set goals; • Use a variety of assessment data throughout the year to evaluate progress; • Establish a safe and orderly environment; and • Empower students... Teachers should: • Work collaboratively with all school personnel to create a professional learning community; • Analyze data; • Develop goals and strategies through the School Improvement Plan; • Assist in determining school budget and professional development; • Participate in hiring process; and • Collaborate with colleagues to mentor and support teachers to improve effectiveness... Teachers should: • Advocate for positive change in policies and practices affecting student learning; and • Participate in the implementation of initiatives to improve education... Teachers should: • Strive to improve the profession; • Contribute to the establishment of positive working conditions; • Participate in decision-making structures; and • Promote professional growth." All of these things are important if we are looking at poverty and trying to figure out what to do about it. Having plans for the school as a whole, in addition to the class, and in addition to individual students will help bring focus and organization and help students and teachers strive to meet this goal. Having incentives to motivate students will help as well. Even though as teachers, we look at the bigger picture (we're trying to get these kids ready for higher education), these kids won't always see that. So, sometimes, we'll have to think of other ways to get these kids motivated to learn, whether through activities, or prizes, or whatever! We have to do what's best for our kids and get them motivated to learn!

This was a sad week, but a needed week. I hope we all leave ready to create ways to improve the lives and education of our students. Remember, relationships are key!