Mrs. Chronister, a West Perry High School Social Studies Teacher, was recently a panelist for a seminar at Messiah University. This seminar was organized by Dr. Tina Keller, a professor of education at Messiah University, and focused on teaching and poverty. So often, the focus is on urban poverty, and rural poverty is overlooked. Dr. Keller created a balanced panel of teachers representing elementary, middle schools and high schools as well as urban, suburban, and rural schools.
The education students participated in various activities designed to increase their knowledge and understanding of poverty and how it impacts students. The culminating activity was education students asking the panel of experienced teachers questions. Student questions included:
How do you help meet the extra needs of a student experiencing poverty without being obvious or embarrassing the student?
How do you maintain a healthy work/life balance?
How do your students' economic situations influence lesson planning? Field trips?
What is the most challenging and rewarding aspect of teaching students living in poverty?
What school activities, while great ideas and supported by most, have unintended consequences for impoverished students?
Mrs. Chronister discussed her experience teaching in a rural school district and added an important perspective to this powerful learning experience for future teachers.