Melissa Sherwood..I teach healthy eating, nutrition and cooking to students in Anne Arndel County and have after school feeding programs for those hardest hit by food insecurity.
#mdeschat
A2. We as educators should always focus on factors w/in our control- content, instructional approaches etc. Maximize every minute and provide additional opportunities that may be lacking. #mdeschat
A2 We need supportive programs that encourage and involve the whole family. Feeding programs, nutrition outreach, supportive parenting classes, information on the proper amount of sleep etc. Partnerships with local govt & businesses for mentors and community support. #mdeschat
This is so important to focus on what we can control! Not doing this puts added stress on the teacher and the student and is just not productive! #mdeschat
A2. We as educators should always focus on factors w/in our control- content, instructional approaches etc. Maximize every minute and provide additional opportunities that may be lacking. #mdeschat
A2 We need supportive programs that encourage and involve the whole family. Feeding programs, nutrition outreach, supportive parenting classes, information on the proper amount of sleep etc. Partnerships with local govt & businesses for mentors and community support. #mdeschat
Make sure we don’t assume the family is doing something wrong. Families in poverty still want the best for their kids. They are not broken or bad parents. Ask them what they need. #mdeschat
A2- Quoting @UMChurch: "Open hearts, open minds, open doors." Open heart- operate in love; support w/ intention. Open mind- refrain from making assumptions. Open door- be welcoming and inviting. Make Ss feel at home, safe, and ready to grow. #mdeschat
Make sure we don’t assume the family is doing something wrong. Families in poverty still want the best for their kids. They are not broken or bad parents. Ask them what they need. #mdeschat
A2 I think some teachers may feel we can love them enough that it won’t impact their school day, but I think we need to be especially mindful of the impact poverty has on ALL aspects of the day. #mdeschat
A3. By taking time to listen and learn from their situation. We can assume they all need the same things, some just need help to access "help" #mdeschat They would love the help.
A3: Go to them. Recognize they might not be able to take off work, might not have transportation, might work a job with irregular hours or evenings and weekends. Not being at school is not the same as not caring. #mdeschat
A3: It has to begin with relationship building, invite parents in, call home w/positive news, and parents have to feel valued as an equal partner. #mdeschat
A3: It has to begin with relationship building, invite parents in, call home w/positive news, and parents have to feel valued as an equal partner. #mdeschat
Q4: Many students who experience poverty are also Child-Caretakers taking on the responsibility of raising siblings and/or older family members. How do we support these students?
#mdeschat
Yes! #GoodCallsHome and #GoodNotesHome are powerful in support of Ss growth, and collaborative partnership between parent, student, and teacher. #mdeschat
A4: Sorry I'm late to the convo! You may not always know who those students are. Get to know your Ss in the beginning of the yr to support them through out the year. We watched this video early this year & it was so powerful. https://t.co/niRx9qjwwV#mdeschat
Q4: Many students who experience poverty are also Child-Caretakers taking on the responsibility of raising siblings and/or older family members. How do we support these students?
#mdeschat
A4: First watch for signs of decline in school performance. Often very responsible, very high achieving students in middle school (girls especially) are most affected. Provide opportunities to complete work at school. #mdeschat
A4: Sorry I'm late to the convo! You may not always know who those students are. Get to know your Ss in the beginning of the yr to support them through out the year. We watched this video early this year & it was so powerful. https://t.co/niRx9qjwwV#mdeschat
Q4: Many students who experience poverty are also Child-Caretakers taking on the responsibility of raising siblings and/or older family members. How do we support these students?
#mdeschat
A5: Poverty is more about lack of access to resources than lack of money. It is shortsighted to assume that people are poor because that aren’t financially literate. Often they budget much better than average with simply too little to go around. #mdeschat
A5. Not sure about financial literacy, but we need to promote the value and connection between working hard in school and being successful in life #mdeschat
A7. Passion for service, patience & understanding, unique ways to meet diverse needs, proactive approaches to communication, and overall demeanor that shows empathy #mdeschat
A7: Needs - teachers with excellent interpersonal skills because building relationships is crucial, high degree of empathy, patience, growth mindset, desire to mentor students, move beyond content to help students discover strengths and passions #mdeschat
