The biggest thing that I learned from the Payne reading was the importance of a support system. I am my high school's Varsity Boy's Basketball Coach and I learned very quickly that a good support system is crucial to the success of the program. Without people to bounce ideas off of and rely on them to handle different aspects of the program it would be very difficult to function. As a future leader I feel that it would be very beneficial if I continue to builod a solid support staff around me, people that i trust and feel comfortable with and who will help me cope with the day to day stresses of the job. A support system will also help me connect with more people and more resources to make the school a better place. (Payne,1996)
References
Payne, R. (1996). A Framework for Understanding Poverty 4th edition. Highlands, TX: ahaprocess.
More important than a support staff, in my opinion, is the framework of supports available to a student. The most amazing teacher with the most supportive colleagues and staff can't reach a student with profound issues and no support network of their own. I teach special needs students, and am always amazed at the suggestion that eventually, even they will pass the OAA tests. Sometimes they do, and I am always very proud of them. But look at a 5th grade girl who has a reading disability such that she reads at a 2nd grade level. The only way to improve as a reader is to read, read, read and also receive instruction on basic skills to support reading. Now, this girl goes home every day to an empty house, where mom and her live-in boyfriend (both loud and argumentative alcoholics) may or may not come home at a reasonable hour. There's no one to make her do her homework, help her with it, or read with her. Of course she turns to video games because those are less boring. Even when mom shows up, she may be drunk, or too tired from work to cook dinner, let alone help her child with homework. Until we can intervene in the home, that girl is doomed. A good support staff around me this year (and this is based on an actual student of mine) has meant that I can involve our school counselor and nurse in meeting with this girl and try to help as much as we can. Children's services won't intervene without evidence of abuse (I've tried) because neglect is just too hard to prove in court, I suppose. So a good support staff is doing its best for her, but if there is no family or home support network, our efforts are often like putting a band-aid on a bullet wound.
ReplyDeleteSupport systems are important for student to if they are going to be able to escape poverty and deal with day to day problems. Payne points out that support systems must provide information and the know-how that are often times critical for success. Schools can often provide the interventions that are necessary for students to be successful. Daniel makes a good point in that it is frusrtating when there is a lack of support at home from the family
ReplyDeleteAnother area is having school teaching survival skills such as goal-setting, problem-solving, and basic economics. Basic economic survival skill like how to open a checking account, how to balance a check book, and interest rates are something more and more schools are beginning to implement.
Truly, support systems are an essential component of healthy schools and the recipe to uncovering and aiding poverty in schools. Ultimately, two things that help one move out of poverty are education and relationships (Payne, 2005). Relationships, like support systems enable students to be connected and stay connected. As a result, individuals feel supported, nurtured, and encouraged. I appreciated your openness regarding your role as a varsity h.s. basketball coach. As a coach, I'm sure you find it imperative to establish a support system with your coaching staff and even players' parents.
ReplyDeleteReferences
Payne, R.K. (2005). A framework for understanding poverty. (4th ed.) The Highlands, TX: aha! Process, Inc.