September 14, 2017

*EDUC 350*
     This week we talked about a topic that touches my heart every single time. This topic is probably one of the main reasons why I want to teach and help kids. This topic is a burden that is laid on my heart every time I walk into a classroom for a clinical, volunteer work, tutoring, etc.
Poverty.

     On Monday as we were walking into class, we had to draw a piece of paper out of a cup. These were our directions for the beginning of class. My paper told me to sit on the floor next to a folder, because I was in that 80% that was in poverty. Four people got to sit at a table with snacks, posters, art supplies, technology, and candy. The rest of us in the class sat on the floor with folders. No snacks, no posters, no art supplies, no technology, no candy. We were told to make an informative poster about poverty using the resources that were given to us. Taylor G., Carol, and I opened our folder to find ripped and crumpled paper and 2 markers. When it came time to present our posters, my group's poster was written in small print on one piece of white card stock with marker (as was most of the other groups that were in poverty). When the middle class/wealthy people stood up to present their posters, they had stickers on them, had more information on them, had more decorations on them, and they were overall better posters. This activity completely opened my eyes for the first time about how poverty can limit students in their education and how it makes them feel. I was anxious that I didn't have what I needed to complete my poster. I was embarrassed to present my poster when I new the middle class/wealthy people's posters would be better. I felt like I could do a better poster if I had more materials, or if I had what the "rich kids" had to work on their posters. This is exactly how many children suffering from poverty feel in school every day.

• So what does this mean for my for my future classroom?

     As a teacher, I have to recognize poverty. I have to recognize which of my kids are in poverty and how poverty can limit them in the classroom. I have to help them in any way that I can. This aligns with Standard 2a, "Teachers provide an environment in which each child has a positive, nurturing relationship with caring adults." I also have to make sure that I feed them before I expect them to learn, because a kid that does not have a full belly has a hard time thinking and learning. This aligns with Standard 2d, "Teachers adapt their teaching for the benefit of students with special needs." In their case, this special need is food, because they are suffering from hunger. I don't think that a "special need" is necessarily a disability. I think that kids suffering from poverty have "special needs" that the middle class and wealthy kids do not have, because their needs are being met. I also have to have absolutely zero tolerance for bullying that may arise due to the way an impoverished child looks, smells, or academically performs. This aligns with Standard 1e, "Teachers demonstrate high ethical standards."
     One thing that Dr. Clark said that really stood out to me in class today was that education really is the only thing that can break through poverty. As teachers we have to love our kids and take care of them as best we can!

(Source for image: http://drpfconsults.com/shocking-effects-of-poverty-on-education/ )