Students that come from an underfunded school or a community with high levels of poverty have always been misunderstood. There are so many stereotypes that stem from this environment that tie their financial status to their personality. Even worse, they compare how "smart" students from well funded schools are versus students who are not so lucky to have that type of funding. Paul Gorski stated, "Believing that poor people are different from those with higher incomes is dangerous and wrong." To believe that someone who's school is not funded enough money to be different is unacceptable. Though they may not get the same opportunities, supplies, or materials as others, it does not put them on a lower pedestal.
There are plenty of myths of the culture of poverty. It is assumed that poor people are lazy and have no work ethic. Parents of these poor children are uninvolved in their education. Lastly, they tend to abuse alcohol and drugs. Addressing these myths in order, people of low poverty are not lazy or lack work ethic. Eighty-three percent of children from low-income families have at least one employed parent; close to sixty percent have at least one parent who works full-time and year-round. Low-income parents are less likely to attend school functions or volunteer in their children's classrooms, not because they care less about education, but because they have less access to school involvement than their wealthier peers. They are more likely to work multiple jobs, to work evenings, to have jobs without paid leave, and to be unable to afford child care and public transportation. Finally, research has shown that someone from the upper class is more likely to abuse alcohol or drugs.
It is unfair that money defines who you are, what you "look" like, or your intelligence. Not everyone is given the same opportunities but that doesn't mean they don't have the same capacities as others.
https://www.ascd.org/el/articles/the-myth-of-the-culture-of-poverty
I love how you worded the last part of your blog when you said " It is unfair that money defines who you are". That's so true, and that's definitely something teachers need to keep in mind. I believe that assuming your students are less intelligent and capable than students with higher income and treating them that way can truly make them believe that. Which is such a harming thing for a child. Teachers should be especially careful with treating everybody in the classroom the same and making sure everybody gets the same amount of attention and care. No student should feel less than because of money. I wanted to ask you about some ideas you may have about how to uplift your students and make them more confident in themselves.
ReplyDeleteHello Ariadna,
DeleteThank you for your comment. I have to agree with you on the matter that children believe what they are told, especially by people they look up to or see every day. Treating them like they are on a lower level than others has a big toll on their mental that is barely developing during that age. They see and hear the stereotypes so much that I fear they may think it is the norm. An idea to give my students confidence is for me to say a statement and them repeat after me. The statement would say something along the lines like "I am beautiful, I am strong, I am enough. I am perfect the way I am." I'd have them say it out loud as a class and repeat three times, everyday before class.
Wow! I really enjoyed reading your blog post. I loved how you included many of the stereotypes that surround students and families who come from underfunded communities. It makes me sad that, as people, we would choose to believe someone is lazy or does not care about themselves rather than think they may need help and support. Addressing the myths in your blog took so much of the power away from them and I believe that with your continued advocation for these students, you will do a lot of good in this world! You are so right on how unfair it is that money defines who we are, or rather, how other people view us. Such a sad, undeniable truth that I hope we can all change one day.
ReplyDeleteHello Brianna,
DeleteThank you for commenting. I am glad you agree with my perspective and I enjoyed your opinion. Unfortunately, most stereotypes have become the "norm" for some when it never even applied to them. Imagine being called lazy when all you do is work for your family to give them opportunities. Even being called uninvolved because you cannot make it to your child's school event since work gets in the way is saddening. We share the same hope that society will change one day and not judge others by what they own or what they don't own. These children need all the support they can get just to be seen on the same level that low poverty students are seen on.
Hi Isabella! I really enjoyed reading your blog post this week. I enjoyed reading the Paul Gorski article so I loved hearing your response on it. I feel like he gave so many great examples of myths and how we, as teachers, can change your view point and combat it. I think your last statement was a powerful one and helped tie your response up. Making sure teachers are aware to not judge students off looks or money is so important. I believe that because of these differences these students need even more attention and help in the classroom.
ReplyDeleteHi Isabella, I liked your blog a lot and being able to see your opinions on this topic. I agree with you that children who suffer with high levels of poverty are misunderstood, especially in the schooling system. People including teachers will treat poorly funded children differently. They will think that these children have a learning problem when that is not the case, poorly funded schools do not have the proper resources to learn such as smart boards or tablets which only means children will be getting more one on one time with the teacher which is not a bad thing as long as the teacher uses that time to their advantage and properly teaching them.
ReplyDeleteHello Rachel,
DeleteThank you for commenting. I enjoy your statement about how people think children with high levels of poverty have a learning problem. That's far from true. Agreeing with you, they just lack resources that funded schools so easily obtain. Some students are not as fortunate to have a notebook to take notes in, something to write with, or maybe even something to store their supplies in. It may be an advantage to have one on one time with each student, but it is also important for them to have the opportunity to learn more through another source. Just one teacher cannot teach every perspective or detail, so it is very helpful to have technology or a library full of accessible books.
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