I had the pleasure of interviewing two teachers. Jonnia is a master Pre-K teacher for 12 years. She's been in this school for 9 of those starting in the infant toddler program. The other teacher Jamela is a displaced teacher that came from a school which was a turnaround school. She has been a Kindergarten teacher for 4 years. They both had some interesting views of the POVERTY that affect our kids today.
- Insights gained from your interviews regarding current advocacy efforts and needs in your area of interest within the field of early childhood
I learned that many of teachers advocate everyday for their students. They both name some of the same issues that affect young children in poverty. When Jamela talked about her students at the displaced school I learned that many of her students didn't know how to hold a pencil correctly or that they didn't know their names. Many of them only knew nick-names that family and friends called them. I learned that Jonnia thought that the lack of access to quality education and community resources also played a big part in the impact of Early Childhood.
I also learned that when dealing with poverty it's not just what's happening around the neighborhood or the home but also the resources that the schools lack. Jamela stated that her other school they didn't have proper books, materials or anything that make a school run. She established after school for the children, leapfrog club, and differentiate instructions that's dedicated for each level.
- How these interviews may have influenced your decision about which area of interest and topics to choose for your research paper
I knew that poverty played a big roll in how students learn and grow but I didn't think about the outcome of what happens when a school lack resources. I would like to look deeper into all the effects that a student has when not only living in poverty but what happens when their education is a product of that too.
- Which area of interest you are thinking of focusing on for your paper as well as the related three specific topics
I'm looking to look focusing on Poverty in a Early Childhood setting. The related topic would be the children's environment, school, and health and outside resources (to help the cause). I believe that they all interrelated. I think if you deal with students with not enough resources in E.C maybe teachers in 3-8 wouldn't have to do as much. Starting at the beginning to help the build a stronger foundation.
- Questions you have for your colleagues related to your area of interest and/or three topics
Beside the reason I included above are there any other factors that may be related to poverty in E.C?
Have you ever advocated for a cause? and if so where did you start to get your message heard?
Do you think children are products of their environment?
Unfortunately although I do believe children are products of their environment I do believe they can rise above and become successful. This happens through quality care. I believe that if a good influence can reach these children even if it is not their parents this is all that they need to succeed in life. This is why I believe quality care is so important in the preschool years.
ReplyDeleteI have advocated for the cause specifically for children in relation to poverty because while being a preschool teacher I have tried to expose children to as many experiences as I can to which they would not have had otherwise. Examples of this do not only include materials but even language! I think this is a great topic for a research paper!
I think that your topic will be a very interesting. You can cover a lot with poverty. I think that an area of focus could be advocating that children who attends at risk school district are provided with breakfast and lunch. I also think that poor nutrition would be an important componete to obesity and how poverty contribute to the high obesity rate among adolescent. I think that your topic is good. I also believe that there will be an abundance of information that you can guide you in writing your reseach paper. I have to agree with Asley and you because I too feel that children are products of their environment but should not let their enviroment or what they are use too become where they are to remain.
ReplyDeleteHi Kenika I see we are an advocate for the same cause. True enough I believe what Ashley says that quality care is the best solution and they can rise above it. I believe that if you have a child with a growling stomach they will be distracted and want learn to their full capacity. Having the best care will never impact a child if they are starving.
ReplyDeleteHi Kenika,
ReplyDeleteI guess when I have thought about poverty, I did not necessarily think that it affected the school resources as well. With all of the budget cuts that are being implemented in schools and early childhood programs, I guess it would affect what the schools are able to provide the children. I also wonder what this does for the students morale and motivation to overcome poverty. I have seen it done and hope that teachers in these situations are helping children stay strong.
Wendy
It seems as though the gap keeps getting farther and farther apart. It's sad that we can't somehow empower parents to see that lack of education, foundations, experiences, talking to your child, reading and doing math with your child is the bridge that gets them to the other side.
ReplyDelete