Planting Seeds of Positive Impact: Supporting Students in Poverty and Homelessness
Format
Individual Presentation
Location
Ballroom A
Strand #1
Safety & Violence Prevention
Relevance
N/A
Brief Program Description
Poverty and homelessness are significant concerns that merit the immediate attention of educators. Families with children make up the fastest growing segment of the homeless population and school-aged children experiencing homelessness are one of the most vulnerable, at-risk groups in our society. Recent data indicates that the number of homeless students in the United States is at a record high and continuing to rise. Although research demonstrates the devastating impact of poverty and homelessness on students’ academic achievement, educators (administrators, teachers, counselors, social workers, homeless liaisons, and university partners) can work together to intentionally help negate and/or reverse many of these adverse effects. This interactive session will explore the complex dynamics of poverty and homelessness at multiple levels and its myriad effects on students, PREK-12. Participants will explore effective strategies to build holistic resilience and support the diverse needs of students experiencing homelessness. From responsive school-classroom practices to collaborative community initiatives, this presentation will include successful examples of how schools can provide a safe and supportive environment for low-income students. Additionally, innovative ideas for promoting health development and increasing the educational opportunities for economically disadvantaged students will be shared. Participants will receive a handout with practical strategies and a list of additional resources to help facilitate visible impact and positive change!
Summary
N/A
Evidence
N/A
Biographical Sketch
FEATURED SPEAKER: Rajni Shankar-Brown, Associate Professor and Jessie Ball duPont Chair of Social Justice Education, Stetson University, Deland, FL
Dr. Rajni Shankar-Brown is an Associate Professor of Social Justice Education and the Director of Graduate Education Programs in the Department of Education at Stetson University. She is a passionate teacher-scholar and internationally known expert on poverty and homelessness. She has facilitated workshops for thousands of educators and presented around the globe. She has published in leading journals and received numerous awards for her innovative leadership and ongoing community engagement. She is the current President of the AAUP Stetson Faculty United and the Past-President of the North Carolina Professors of Middle Level Education (NCPOMLE) organization. Through her research, scholarship, and service, Dr. ShankarBrown is committed to positively impacting the lives of at-risk students from socially marginalized groups, particularly children experiencing poverty and homelessness.
Keyword Descriptors
Homelessness, Poverty, PreK-12, United States, Low-income students, Economically disadvantaged students
Presentation Year
2015
Start Date
3-2-2015 3:00 PM
End Date
3-2-2015 4:15 PM
Recommended Citation
Shankar-Brown, Rajni and Ball duPont, Jessie, "Planting Seeds of Positive Impact: Supporting Students in Poverty and Homelessness" (2015). National Youth Advocacy and Resilience Conference. 65.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/nyar_savannah/2015/2015/65
Planting Seeds of Positive Impact: Supporting Students in Poverty and Homelessness
Ballroom A
Poverty and homelessness are significant concerns that merit the immediate attention of educators. Families with children make up the fastest growing segment of the homeless population and school-aged children experiencing homelessness are one of the most vulnerable, at-risk groups in our society. Recent data indicates that the number of homeless students in the United States is at a record high and continuing to rise. Although research demonstrates the devastating impact of poverty and homelessness on students’ academic achievement, educators (administrators, teachers, counselors, social workers, homeless liaisons, and university partners) can work together to intentionally help negate and/or reverse many of these adverse effects. This interactive session will explore the complex dynamics of poverty and homelessness at multiple levels and its myriad effects on students, PREK-12. Participants will explore effective strategies to build holistic resilience and support the diverse needs of students experiencing homelessness. From responsive school-classroom practices to collaborative community initiatives, this presentation will include successful examples of how schools can provide a safe and supportive environment for low-income students. Additionally, innovative ideas for promoting health development and increasing the educational opportunities for economically disadvantaged students will be shared. Participants will receive a handout with practical strategies and a list of additional resources to help facilitate visible impact and positive change!
