Blog 8: A time to reflect. Brendan Ayers

Poverty is NOT a Learning Disability was a very informative book.  I am very pleased to have read this book, particularly for the first several chapters.  Unfortuantely, the latter portion of the book was geared more towards administrators, and in positions of power within the school building, although, it was nice to see what an administrator should keep in mind on a day to day basis.  The beginning portion of the book did a wonderful job setting the stage for students that come from lower SES environments.  We leared many facts and statistics associated with poverty, all of which were very eye opening.  This book has give me new perspectives and outlooks on the urban environment, which means a lot since I've already been with the urban district for several years. 

1. In what ways have you examined fundamental beliefs about diverse learners with respect to learning and teaching? 

As the title suggests, poverty is not a learning disability.  I think this sums up the question.  According to dramatic statistics, I feel as though teachers use classifications (particularly in lower SES environments) as cruches, so they can be lazy in their lesson planning.  It is believed that these students need to be in an inclusive setting, when the there's a great chance the information may not be forseen as important to these students.  In order to understand your students better, COMMUNICATION!  Talk to not only the student, but their parents, and the students' past teachers who undoubtedly know the student better than you!

2. How or in what ways have you reframed your perspectives on diversity with intent to inform future practice?

Through this book, I have reframed my perspectives greatly.  I need to take into consideration that students may not see things the same way as I do.  What I find enjoyable and think is a fantastic activity the students will love, they may hate it with a passion!  The students may not be amazing when it comes to doing things a certain way, so we need to differentiate the instruction, and make it applicable and acceptable among all students.  This book helped remind me that students are another reason for our positions, not only paychecks!

3. What do you know now that you didn’t before? How might you incorporate this knowledge in your teaching?

There are many things I didn't know before, but one thing I learned and will act upon is the scarcity of books and accessible resources for our students.  I think it's important for students to have many pieces of literature and quiet places to work on schoolwork and homework.  With this in mind, I would love to make a difference (if only in my own classroom!) and stay late with students as needed on a nightly basis, since they may lack the effective learning environment they may need to be successful.  In doing this, you not only offer a chance for success among the students, but you are also extending your hand and showing them you do care about them and want them to be successful.  Showing students that we care and getting to know them I feel is a critical step to a successful academic future for the students.