#UrbanEd chat is a twitter chat for educators. Topics relevant to the subject of urban education will be discussed, but all educators are encouraged to join the conversation. The chats will be moderated by Ben and Neil, founders of Engaging Educators and elementary school teachers in Detroit, MI.
James joining in from South Texas...will be in and out tonight but hoping to learn more about STEM...thanks for contributing to the @flipgrid@theignitEDteach#UrbanEdChat
Schools in communities that are built on poverty and cycles of crime, low-education, and access to resources...These schools have high teacher turnover and are yearly looking for teachers...#urbanedchat
I think a lot of times we focus on funding but I think it’s beyond that— you can give schools money and biases will still be there. Equity gap stems from systemic oppression that is evident in curriculum, instructional “best practices” and discipline structures #UrbanEdchat
A1: The equity gap in education extends far beyond the scope of a classroom or school building. It is a systematic lack of access to resources and opportunities. #urbanedchat
A2: If you have Ts who are not certed in areas teaching them, then Ss are not getting the education they deserve.Also, with no support staff, building falls apart, no nurse or counselors means no health supports and career supports. #urbanedchat
That's a great point! I complain about our math curriculum all of the time. It lacks innovation and perpetuates the equity gap in our district #UrbanEdChat
A2 The focus then becomes on filling all of the missing staffed positions...Teachers can't focus on their assigned preps because the have additional classes to plan for...Ss will get general instruction, but specialized and individual instruction suffers #UrbanEdChat
A2. Inspiring teachers who make real connections with students is the most important resource any school has. Schools that have a revolving door of teachers create the culture that the students aren’t worth staying for. #UrbanEdChat
A2 Aides and Para-professionals are asked to fill in gaps for which they are not efficiently trained for..The heart and passion are there....where is the help? #UrbanEdChat
A3: People struggle with math because they think they aren't smart enough. It's all about learning the "language" of math. Once you do that, people get it and realize they can do it. That's what needs to happen. #UrbanEdChat
A2: Some of the newer teachers focus on "wanting to change students" but instead wind up walking into something they weren't prepared for. They then leave and the students are given a series of substitute teachers who wind up not teaching the content to them.#UrbanEdChat
A2. Inadequate staffing also includes Ts mindsets. Implicit bias & low expectations from Ts with the wrong mindset for the underserved increases the inequity gap regardless of $$$$$. #UrbanEdChat
A3: It is key to challenge our students norms. Students in low income communities have been conditioned to think that their opportunity structure is already defined for them. Expose students to examples that challenge their reality #UrbanEdChat
A3: I wasn't confident with my math skills. I had one bad math teacher in high school and decided that I hated math. 20 years later I'm a little more confident. #UrbanEdChat
A4: The greatest inequity I see revolves around students' belief. Students in the inner city do not believe they belong in a STEM setting. It inhibits their ability to fully commit to educational opportunities. #UrbanEdChat
A3 All disciplines should be intertwined in together...If math is an area that is left unmonitored, Ss will never catch up...Time to reach out to local colleges and universities to see if they can help...Even retired teachers #UrbanEdChat
A3. By having successful ppl in STEM careers talk to the class on a frequent basis. When Ss see ppl similar to them in STEM it becomes a real possibility. If they don’t see similar ppl, it’s just a dream. #UrbanEdchat
A3. Instead of focusing on teaching the content we need to focus on teaching how to USE the content in real life. We force S’s to learn things without ever actually showing them why they need to know it. #UrbanEdChat
A4 2 Engineering teachers on our campus when less than 15% of Ss rake the classes...Yet we have about 80% of our graduating class declare engineering as major #UrbanEdChat
A4. STEM/STEAM is a new focus for us next year. But the T’s who should be fighting for the position are running away - afraid of the unknown. If we are afraid to challenge ourselves how can we expect our S’s to challenge themselves?! #UrbanEdChat
A3: Representation matters. If Ss Are not exposed to people who look like them in STEM, we are asking them to dream the almost impossible dream. #UrbanEdChat
A6: Research, question, question question. Not be afraid to bring this issues to the forefront. Fight like hell for them! Ss are worth it! #UrbanEdChat
A5. By first recognizing that there is a problem & then actively recruiting underserved Ss for their STEM classes & not leave it up to counselors alone. (HS level) #UrbanEdChat
I teach 5th grade math and when I have a Ss who is interested in math I always worry if they will lose interest once they get to high school. #UrbanEdChat
A5. By first recognizing that there is a problem & then actively recruiting underserved Ss for their STEM classes & not leave it up to counselors alone. (HS level) #UrbanEdChat
A5. So often you hear T’s say “Oh my S’s can’t do that.”, when instead we need meet our S’s where they are and guide them to the place we want them to be. S’s have a desire to be challenged, but they want to know you will be there to help them when it’s hard. #UrbanEdChat
A7: It's disappointing to read this because there are so many minorities who attend college and major in these subjects but do not return to the urban areas to teach. #UrbanEdChat
A7: It's disappointing to read this because there are so many minorities who attend college and major in these subjects but do not return to the urban areas to teach. #UrbanEdChat
A5: ALL Ss need to be invited to participate in STEM/STEAM, not just the one you know can do it. We need actively pursue Ss who do not for the mold and find or become their mentors. Too many students are left out because a T doesn't think a S can make it. #UrbanEdChat
A6 We must continue to bridge the gap between students of different races. How are we connecting with students and how are we addressing behaviors? Positively or negatively? I’m committed to advocating for fairness for all students! 💙 #UrbanEdChat
A6. T’s can build a strong PLN that pushes them to be better. T’s can show their S’s the importance of being a life long leaner. T’s can find creative ways to get their S’s the resources they deserve. #UrbanEdChat
