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Kids in Crisis: How to Reach Them So You Can Teach Them

Kids in Crisis: How to Reach Them So You Can Teach Them. Laurie Thurston Communication Across Barriers Marylhurst University E3: Employers for Education Excellence. Our moral imperative. What keeps teachers from reaching * kids in crisis? * kids in poverty?. ESSENTIAL QUESTION:.

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Kids in Crisis: How to Reach Them So You Can Teach Them

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  1. Kids in Crisis:How to Reach Them So You Can Teach Them Laurie Thurston Communication Across Barriers Marylhurst University E3: Employers for Education Excellence

  2. Our moral imperative

  3. What keeps teachers from reaching * kids in crisis? * kids in poverty? ESSENTIAL QUESTION:

  4. Overcoming barriers… • Emotional • Social • Academic • Systemic • Race • Class

  5. Two-way Disclosure

  6. Crossroads Program Gates Chili High School Rochester, NY

  7. Summer Planning • Connect with families: do home visits • Create a space where everyone is welcome • Commit to equity • Create your own “resource backpack”

  8. That First Week • Student pictures • Update contact information • Birthdays and journals • Brainstorm year-at-a-glance board • Student-centered classroom environment

  9. Getting Started:September • Focus on relationship building • Model what you teach • Engage parental involvement • Rethink your homework policy • Students create classroom community • Everyone writes

  10. It’s not rocket science… …but it IS working smart

  11. Reaching kids means taking risks • Equitable teaching • Multi-media format • Standards for all • Open to outcome • Personal = connection • Student centered • Emotions are valid • Failure is not an option • Traditional teaching • Text/print driven • Curriculum focused • Fixed on outcome • Personal = private • Teacher centered • Emotional disconnect • The bell curve reality

  12. Crossroads’ Annual Down to Earth Field Trip Taking risks inside the classroom is easier once you’ve taken them outside…

  13. More teaching strategies… • Take learning out of the classroom • Field trips, college visits • Bring learning into the classroom • Guest speakers, assemblies • Differentiate instruction • Oral and print culture styles of learning • Build student “address books” • Kids need a starting point to begin navigating • Everyone reflects • Regular review of academic and personal goals

  14. There’s a reason why this works… Learning theories

  15. What ALL teachers must know

  16. www.search-institute.org Most of these 40 external and internal developmental assets can be fostered within a classroom setting

  17. Asset vs. Deficit Approach Everyone has strengths and resiliency can be fostered…the classroom is a perfect launching point

  18. Relevant, novel, student-choice Kids in crisis and those living in the context of poverty make ‘adult’ decisions every day. They thrive in classrooms that allow them ownership, control and an opportunity to be heard…

  19. Mentoring means believing in possibility… Beating the Odds: How the Poor Get to College ~ Arthur Levine and Jana Nidiffer

  20. Essential Question: What can we do today to arm our teachers with the knowledge, skill and will to reach kids living in the crisis of poverty and eliminate the achievement gap?

  21. The last word… A good teacher starts by connecting with kids; a great teacher believes each child is capable of learning; the successful teacher meets each student where he or she is in order to help each achieve personal excellence. It’s not state standards, it’s not curriculum, it’s the teacher. The teacher is the one who makes or breaks each child. It’s the teacher – it’s you – who will determine whether that kid is going to leave your room standing taller than when he first walked in and that much more capable of facing the world after he leaves. Be that difference.

  22. Contact me… Laurie Thurston L_thurston_2000@yahoo.com If you’re interested in the upcoming guidebook, sign the sheet up front or drop me an email. Publication date is later this summer … I’m also available for teacher workshops and trainings. Contact me at lthurston@combarriers.com Thanks for helping me help teachers make a difference in the lives of kids!!

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