1. Laurie Thurston Communication Across Barriers Marylhurst University E3: Employers for Education Excellence

2. AchievementGap

4. Emotional Social Academic Systemic Race Class Kids in Crisis OpportunityInterventionExpectation Education

5. TeacherStudent

7.  Connect with families: do home visits  Create a space where everyone is welcome  Commit to equity  Create your own “resource backpack”

8.  Student pictures  Update contact information  Birthdays and journals  Brainstorm year-at-a-glance board  Student-centered classroom environment

9.  Focus on relationship building  Model what you teach  Engage parental involvement  Rethink your homework policy  Students create classroom community  Everyone writes

10. Relationships Relevance Rigor Best Practices

11.  Traditional teaching  Text/print driven  Curriculum focused  Fixed on outcome  Personal = private  Teacher centered  Emotional disconnect  The bell curve reality  Equitable teaching  Multi-media format  Standards for all  Open to outcome  Personal = connection  Student centered  Emotions are valid  Failure is not an option

12. Taking risks inside the classroom is easier once you’ve taken them outside…

13.  Take learning out of the classroom ◦ Field trips, college visits  Bring learning into the classroom ◦ Guest speakers, assemblies  Differentiate instruction ◦ Oral and print culture styles of learning  Build student “address books” ◦ Kids need a starting point to begin navigating  Everyone reflects ◦ Regular review of academic and personal goals

14. Learning theories

15. Those growing up in poverty who have mentors have a much higher chance attending and being successful in college Learn by doing, involve the student in decision making, bring novelty to the learning Antithesis of the Deficit Approach: should focus on skills already in place and build from there. Resiliency can be fostered 40 identified internal and external assets in successful young people www.search-institute.org Developmental Asset Theory Strengths Perspective & Resiliency Theory Mentoring Matters Experiential and Adult Learning Theory

16. Developmental Asset Theory Most of these 40 external and internal developmental assets can be fostered within a classroom setting

17. Strengths Perspective & Resiliency Theory Everyone has strengths and resiliency can be fostered…the classroom is a perfect launching point

18. Experiential and Adult Learning Theory Kids in crisis and those living in the context of poverty make ‘adult’ decisions every day. They thrive in classrooms that allow them ownership, control and an opportunity to be heard…

19. Mentoring Matters Beating the Odds: How the Poor Get to College ~ Arthur Levine and Jana Nidiffer

20. What can we do today to arm our teachers with the knowledge, skill and will to reach kids living in the crisis of poverty and eliminate the achievement gap?

21. A good teacher starts by connecting with kids; a great teacher believes each child is capable of learning; the successful teacher meets each student where he or she is in order to help each achieve personal excellence. It’s not state standards, it’s not curriculum, it’s the teacher. The teacher is the one who makes or breaks each child. It’s the teacher – it’s you – who will determine whether that kid is going to leave your room standing taller than when he first walked in and that much more capable of facing the world after he leaves. Be that difference.

22. Laurie Thurston L_thurston_2000@yahoo.com If you’re interested in the upcoming guidebook, sign the sheet up front or drop me an email. Publication date is later this summer … I’m also available for teacher workshops and trainings. Contact me at lthurston@combarriers.comlthurston@combarriers.com Thanks for helping me help teachers make a difference in the lives of kids!!