Our Nations Poor Need Better Schools and Loving Teachers

Being a teacher in an inner city school can be draining physically, mentally and emotionally. The students in the poorer neighborhoods have a tendency to be sick more often due to not being able to have preventive medical attention. Their behavior tends to be on the rough side. They are less driven to succeed at school. They also need an abundance of love and understanding.

School environment plays a major role in how students succeed. In poverty stricken neighborhoods the schools seem to fall into disrepair, with leaking roofs, drinking fountains that do not work, and bathroom fixtures that are broken. When students see their school compared to a middle class school they receive a message that they do not matter to the school district so why even bother trying to get an education. For those who earnestly try it is even more difficult, because they are learning from outdated textbooks. Curriculum is very expensive and in the poorer neighborhoods any money the districts receive goes toward much needed repairs to the schools.

So, what do we do about these students? They need teachers who are willing to go to their schools with an attitude of respect. These students have probably seen things that you have not. Do not pity them. If you show them respect, they will respect you and learn what you are teaching. If you do not show them respect they will tune you out and fight you all the way. The result of this is we have lost another student. After you have their respect, be creative on how you teach. Bring in a newspaper and teach what is going on in the world. Check out newspaper archives for the last decade and teach from those, remember some of the history books end with Reagan being elected president. A lot has happened since then.

Ruby Payne, author and inner city teacher, stated “Teachers are one of the biggest ‘hopes’ in their lives.” Education is very important in these neighborhoods. If a student graduates from high school and cannot read at least at the ninth grade level, there is little hope of this student getting out of poverty.