1. Urban\Disadvantaged Teaching
How to succeed and make a difference

2. Your Experiences
Possible Causes:
Manifestations in School:

3. Your Experiences Possible Causes: Parental involvement Younger parents
Neighborhood (unsafe)
Gangs
Services to individuals with disabilities (school)
Lack of medical care
Work outside school or care for family members
Manifestations in School:
Behavior management more difficult
Value of education diminished
Violence
Less parental involvement
Lower test scores
Cultural expectations or restrictions
Sometimes a $$ issue
High administrative and teacher turnover

4. Know the terrain My experience Contributing Factors
Low level of education and low value in education
Low SES (often measured by rate received free/reduced price lunches)
Higher rates of dysfunctional families (care by aunts, grandparents, no one)
Lack of role-models
Behind academically (difficulty transition to higher ed)
Jenny’s experience at CCP

5. Know the terrain Contributing Factors
Low performance on standardized tests
PSSA exams (>90% below basic, level 1 of 4)
Peer standing is IMPORTANT
Pressure to conform to expectations (music, behavior, clothing, sport/activity interests)
Increased likelihood of violence
Often poorer facilities and equipment
Exceptions
Poorer access to learning resources
Textbooks, computers, other

6. Know the terrain Contributing Factors
Homework may or may not be assigned
For some teachers, “no win” situation
Defiance (insubordination) of the teacher is much more common
Happens in all schools but is more common: talking without permission, interrupting others, leaving seats without permission, wisecracks
Continue to teach but address it briefly so class knows there will be a follow up
Truancy is more common (may have jobs)
Vulgarity is more common

7. Self care
Teaching in urban, difficult schools can be personally taxing.
Remember to ask for help from your colleagues or other teachers
Don’t be alone in certain places, REPORT intimidation or threats

8. Plus Side
Although urban/disadvantaged teaching can be the most taxing, you have a greater ability to make a difference here than almost anywhere.
Students will gravitate to you for untold issues once they trust you and understand you are there for them.
If you can succeed, there is a tremendous sense of accomplishment

9. Advise for Urban Teachers
Create and maintain consistent EXPECTATIONS from the beginning
Do not allow the students to go crazy and do as they wish
Understand their world
Walk around the community, attend sporting events, understand the music & culture
Build rapport
Ask about their personal lives
Demonstrate that you care but you are tough
Yo C, J sponge
Keep emotions in check
Sometimes they will refuse directions, even curse at you; keep your cool.
Clear and decisive; don’t look “afraid” even if you are.
Follow through (mean what you say)
Have a clear and progressive series of consequences (avoid Draconian punishment)
Use daily grading and assessment to keep on task
Motivate the students
Why is this important?
Why is school important
Income by degree

10. Advise for Urban Teachers cont.
Create a high level of organization and routines so students know what is expected.
Establish lines in the sand where behaviors are known to be unacceptable
Refusing to follow directions
Start the year with their favorite activity and use it as a reward (premack principle).
WPHS – First 30 minutes was instructional and last 15 was recreational (students could choose activities)
PAPER TRAIL IS IMPORTANT
I kept an incident notebook and recorded problems which occurred in class organized by period, student, and date.
That way, if I called home or spoke with an administrator, I had documentation.

11. Advise for Urban Teachers cont.
Link instruction more with the work force (more career focused)
Discuss nutrition and health care more
Black bags for lunch each day
Run the BEST program you can based upon the limitations. It may not be the ideal but is the best possible. Then, each year
try and make improvements