How do you address Poverty, Homelessness, Migrants, Disability, Different Languages, Foster families or Divorced families?

As teachers you will find that students come from all sorts of backgrounds, and in many cases where they come from may effect their academic performance in school. It is our job as teachers to help support these students and their families and guide them through the struggles they may face. 

Diversity plays a big role within families and comes in all different scenarios such as, poverty, divorce, culture, disability, adoption, religion, foster children, gay and lesbian couples and single-parents. In order to feel accepted, we need to welcome all families with open arms  and help them build connections inside and outside of school. Creating a good relationship will help families build friendships, social skills, and give them the support system necessary to take-part in community life. In the process of teaching, we must not make any judgements and ignore all biases that we may have towards certain topics.

  Using the Community as Curriculum

A child's neighborhood may be in a city, small town, suburb, or rural area. Wherever students live, a hidden curricula can be found through the resources provided within the community. Children acquire knowledge through community interactions, cultures, and values just as much as any school or home environment would.

Need some books for teaching acceptance in the classrooms?

We are teaching acceptance in the classroom and found these great books to read.  Does anyone have feedback on these books or others that you have found?  For more detailed information on the books see our Book Recommendations link.

Adaptations and accomodations;learning environment

The strategies used for collaborating with parents of all children in your classroom can be effective, no matter what the circumstances are.

Members of ethnic minorites, homeless and migrant families, gay and lesbian parents, and certain individuals families may be hard to reach.

The first step is for teachers to examine their own feelings towards parents who are outside the mainstream and with whom it may be more difficult to establish contact.

Being honest about your feelings and discussing them with others will help you to avoid using terms or making statements that hurt or anger parents who may have been rejected in other situations.

Community Involvement, Resources, and Community

Choose a school district/ county: what community resources are there for parents.

Like family involvement in schools, community involvement occurs at various levels, ranging from minimal contact to advocacy.

Teachers and administrators have the greater responsibility for reaching out to the community to develop partnerships, but parents often play a role in getting individuals, agencies, and businesses involved with the local schools.

Many educators now recognize that when teachers, parents,and community members form a relationship of equality and shared responsibility, schools become strong and children acquire greater cognitive and social skills.