Just an average classroom?

At rst we think of class size, special learning needs, etc...

What else is there to see? Take a closer look.

Educator sees possibility in each child

Feels hopeless, cant a ord school supplies

49% of immigrant children and 40% of Aboriginal children live in poverty*

21% of children in BC are living in poverty*

BC has the highest rate of child poverty in Canada*

Working together we can make the dierence for children living in poverty.

ClassismA culture worth changing

* Source: 2008 Child Poverty Report Card from First Call: BC Child and Youth Advocacy Coalition. www. rstcallbc.org

Poverty/Classism
Removing the barriers to learning
Our students
We can study them like a text. We first need to examine our own thoughts and practice.

As teachers What are my beliefs/expectations for students

living in poverty? Can they succeed like other students?

Do I know what home circumstances my students

are coming from?

What do I do to provide adequate and appropriate

support for students in need in my classroom?

Do my students feel safe and cared for at school? Do students have positive expectations for
themselves in school?

How am I handling homework expectations? Do I charge for field trips, class events, etc? When a student arrives late or has been away, how
do I make the student feel welcome? social skills?

Do all my students come to class having had

breakfast and ready to learn? learning?

Do my students have the supplies they need for Does each student have an adult in our school that
they have a supportive relationship with?

What programs/strategies do I use for teaching Am I familiar with the various teaching and
assessment strategies for students living in poverty? supplies for activities in my room?

Do students see education as a path to success?

Do I provide or arrange for needed classroom Our schools

As teachers we can make our schools safer for kids living in poverty.

Our community
Being aware of our community helps us understand the context of our students lives.

Does my school charge school fees? Does my school have a breakfast or lunch program? Does my school provide homework support for
students who may not have that at home? programs?

Is there an easily accessible food bank in the

community near my school?

Is there accessible and affordable public

transportation in our community?

How does my school identify students for free food Does my school have clothing, food, toiletries, etc. Are my schools policies on tardiness, attendance,
and behaviour issues supportive of students? in poverty? available for kids in need that can be given to them discretely?

Where is our public libraryor is there one? What services are available to assist families and
children in need?

What is the healthcare situation in our community?

Are there doctors taking new patients? community? job loss?

Do I know the poverty rate of my school and Am I aware of families that may be in crisis due to

What percent of our special education students live

As teachers, we can make our schools welcoming for students living in poverty. We can bring areas of concern to our staff committee and we can enact policy changes at the school level that can make a real difference.
Book a BCTF workshopcontact Joan Merrifield at PSID at 604-871-1850 For more information on poverty check the BCTF website: bctf.ca/socialjustice.aspx
April 2009 PSI09-0031