Wow, it must be amazing to teach at such a supportive school! I think a lot of schools try to portray an image that they are a supportive community but their actions don't always line up with that, which can be extremely difficult. I also agree with what you said about being a new teacher and coming into a school that doesn't completely align with your desire to create a school-wide community... it can be hard to make a difference when other teachers and staff members aren't on board. You can create a positive classroom community within your own classroom but you can't always control the outside forces coming from the rest of the school (specials, lunch, etc.). It goes to show what a huge difference administration and the staff at a school can make regardless of the socioeconomic status of the students. College courses and even internships don't prepare you whatsoever for "real life" in the classroom and having a supportive school environment can make a huge difference!
It really does come from the top down. It starts with the administration creating a culture where change and flexibility are normal and accepted. Every year with teacher turnover being so high new teachers come in with great ideas on how to "fix things" but are often shut down either by unwillingness to change or by the administration. I really hope your next school will have a supportive community around you and you can really flourish!
Mr. Thain Thank you for your advice. I am graduating with my Master of Education in Elementary Education in October and I have been a Paraprofessional in a Title 1 School with experience in Elementary and Middle/Junior High School. Flexibility is one of the keys to your beginnings as a teacher. I have had some highs and lows as a Para but I would not trade it for the world! 😀 It has taught me to be a stronger teacher and be the best teacher I can be for my students.
+Roderick Woodard your experience as a para will be super helpful! Congrats on getting your masters! You will probably be more prepared to teach than someone coming right out of college because you already know what schools are really like and you have real experience!
I agree that majority of the experiences in college or internships are not preparing us for the real world. However, I do want to encourage you because I have had a great experience at the University I am attending right now. We are talking about working in low income school, about biases, about being the change, kids emotional needs, etc. Education for teachers is starting to change too!
I am a title one kid that had amazing teachers who were patient and taught me English! And now I teach in the same neighborhood :) It's amazing to give back to the community! ❤️
I'm so happy for you! Thanks so much for the shout out to your teachers, and even MORE so, for staying in the community, and giving that support to others! Deseando a ti grandes cosas! (I'm still learning...🤫)
WOW!!! These were my exact sentiments during my undergrad teaching program. I KNEW I was not being prepared to teach the students that I would be teaching. It actually led me to enter into my graduate program and it has been a total blessing! The program that I'm in now is practice based and we are taught in title one schools that are extremely diverse. You're channel is such a light!! Thank you for operating in your gifts!
WOW!!! I've never seen a guy teach such a young grade! Good for you! I would have loved to have you teach my son. Many boys need positive male role models.
I love this video. I have only taught in Title 1 schools and I couldn't imagine doing anything else. I love the community aspect to your school. It really makes a difference.
Without a good community a school will die. I also couldn't imagine teaching in a different type of school. I love when it clicks for a parent and they see their child's education as an opportunity out of poverty. It is a really special responsibility when teaching in a title 1 school.
I teach Title I reading/math at a private Catholic school here in Chicago. It's a middle school but we're very small at only 90 students. Out of those 90, I have 60 currently in Title 1 with me. Our school is in a high risk area, very poor with lots of gang violence but I wouldn't change it for the world. The kids here need me. The community needs me. I love it here.
I have only taught for 2 years, but they have both been in low income or title 1 schools. It is definitely different than other schools, but I feel like it is also rewarding in its own special way.
Yes, very rewarding. No matter where you teach you are making a difference, but there is something special about serving students and families from a high need area.
To be honest, I'm not too sure if we have schools with a similar label! We have schools that have specific titles depending on the population of students enrolled.
I must say that after hearing your prospective it doesn't have that negative sting to it. Yes the things the children have to witness or experience around their home is tragic but you give them hope and focus on what you can control/change. Awesome job. And thank you! We need more teachers like you.
I teach at a school in Detroit that sounds extremely familiar to the experience you had in Chicago. I love these videos (both from you and Pocketful of Primary), and they make me grateful for my college experience. I had 3 practicums (pre-service student teaching) at Title I schools, where there were extremely complex situations (a family member was shot, there were refugees, and several students stayed in homeless shelters, and I student taught at a Title I school, where they also dealt with losing family and extreme poverty. I barely had experience in a school that was well off, but that was a good thing. This past year was my first year teaching, and I relied heavily on my experiences in previous inner city settings.
Bluffton?! I'm now a Kinder teacher and went to ONU--class of 2013. You absolutely hit the nail on the head when it comes to Teacher Ed. programs (especially in NW Ohio). I felt that my experience there did such a disservice of genuinely preparing me for my teaching career, even just teaching in a rural Title 1 school. There needs to be a shift soon. It's no wonder the turnover rate is so high. Thanks for making others aware and sharing your experience!
I am a social worker at a title I school. Keep up the good work, I've found that working at a title I isn't for everyone but if it's your jam you should definitely stick with it - the kids deserve great teachers like you! I can't imagine teaching anywhere else but a title I.
Thank you for sharing. I went to a very small public school growing up and even though it was not a title 1 school it still had its fair share of problems. Being part of a small town community has is benefits and its drawbacks for sure!
Thank you for sharing. Has your school always been a title 1? I ask because many small town schools and communities became title 1 in Ohio after the economy crashed and haven't been able to recover.
Mr. Thain No! The communities have changed in the last 10 years. We have a large community of Hispanic and Latino families. We are 87 percent free lunch and have 60 percent white, 25 percent Hispanic, 10 percent African American, and 5 percent others. I could have students in my classroom from middle class and low income homes.
Great video! I went to title 1 schools as a k-12 student in Philadelphia. My passion for urban/title 1 schools started from my own experience. I student taught in a suburban school (kindergarten) this past semester, & I hated it (not the kids, just the environment); definitely not my comfort zone. I'm so glad I'll be a teacher in Philadelphia this upcoming school year in a title 1 school (pretty much every school in Philly is a title 1 school) I couldn't see myself anywhere else.
That is really cool that you are choosing to give back in that way. I am really excited to hear all about your upcoming first year of teaching. I really want you to succeed in your first year and I want to be a resource for you if you ever need one. If you ever need anything please let me know!
Thank you! It's so nice entering my 1st year with a nice, little online/virtual teaching community such as yourself, Reynolds, Kate, and etc. 😁 I'm debating on vlogging my first year, but nothing extreme.
I went to an elementary school that was title 1 when I was younger. That school was way better than my old elementary school that we're not helpful at all. The school that was title 1 was very respectful and helped me so much!!! I loved it there. Now I am a teacher at a school at a school that is title 1. The admin and staff are awesome, like a family !
I am a young male teacher and I Co Teach at a Title 1 School. I am certified PreK-4 and Special Ed K-8. I adore my job! I actually Co Teach grades 5-8, even though I am certified in lower grades. My staff is the SAME WAY! We are super united and my kiddos can see it in us. I admire having a supportive staff and could not imagine my school running like this well-oiled machine without it! :) Beautifully, I've met all of the kids so I am able to walk into any room and discipline the students as needed. :) My school runs itself as its own community. I adore my environment! The connection to the kids is wonderful and BEYOND rewarding! :D I completely agree! I was not ready for my own room. So, I am so blessed that I got this job when I do not have all of that pressure! The separate track thing would be amazing! :) You are amazing and keep up the fantastic work!
I loved your video. I am currently a sophomore in college wanting to become a teacher. I have a promised teaching job for 3 years after college. My goal is to teach in a Title I school. Your video sheds so much light on how teaching impacts so many people, not only students. Thank you for sharing your story.
I am sitting her yelling "YES!!!!" My university did not do much to prepare me for the specific challenges of poverty/ Title I schools. You are right, the only way to learn how to teach there is by doing it. I actually teach at a rural Title I school. Different environment from urban schools, but many of the effects of poverty are the same.
Yes, I forgot to mention that a title 1 school does not necessarily mean urban. I really wish they prepared students more in college to teach in title 1 schools!
I just wanted to comment and say that I think some universities are really starting to take notice of the changes in education. I have had a wonderful experience at the university that I am attending. I still have so much to learn but I feel prepared to enter into any school whether that be a school with low income or not. I just want to encourage you that education for teacher candidates is changing too! We've been discussing all of these things in our courses! I am thankful for a teacher like you! Keep up the good work.
I ABSOLULTELY loved this video. I loved your candor. I also teach at a Title 1 school. It is so rewarding. I also feel "called". Thank you so much for making such an inspirational video.
Hey! I am a special ed teacher in Cincinnati! I went to OU for undergrad. Yay Ohio teachers! It's my first year teaching and I find your videos really helpful.
I'm from Ohio! Cleveland area to be exact! lol Now I live in Texas and I work at a Title 1 campus and have always worked at Title 1 schools and I love it! Yes, its difficult at times, but I feel like I'm really making a difference. Love your video, thanks for sharing!
I am in my second year of teaching, and I started in a Title 1 school, however I felt the school that I was in wasn't a good fit for me, and fell into the category of kinda just going along with things without making a real change. Although I love my new school and my students (it is a high income school) I can understand how you feel in regards to making a difference. Teaching in a low income vs high income school is extremely different. Thanks for your video :)
+Rebekah Williams I am glad you have found a good fit! No matter what type of school you teach in you are making a difference. High income schools have there own set of unique problems.
Thank you for this very inspirational and motivational video! I'm a para and parent in a title one school. We are one of the highest performing schools our county. We are afforded so many programs that non title one school.
It would be awesome to see you on a teacher talk with Real Rap with the Reynolds! As a future educator I would definitely like to ask questions about Title 1 schools since there aren't many in my area but by the time I graduate I will be moving into an area with more Title 1 schools.
One of the books that taught me is the book (and YT videos) by an MD: The Deepest Well about the affect of childhood trauma on the mind and body (health). I don’t think there is any one resource to prepare us fully but a variety of resources can inform and try to prepare us. The issues we are dealing with are about how to deal with, interact with, and help the child as a whole person not about helping raise their academic ability. Another issue is when there are learning disabilities or other conditions that impair academic progress or just hinder classroom management (prevent others from learning) but those are not diagnosed and/or not being treated.
I went to a title 1 elementary school, but I didn't know it was a title 1 school nor did I know what that meant. I am currently studying to become an early childhood educator with the help of a program that began my freshman year of college. I live in an area of Georgia where most of the population is Hispanic. This program seeks bilingual individuals who want to become a teacher. Because of the not enough spanish-speaking teachers in the county, this program partnered with the county to cover these students' full college tuition while giving them part-time paraprofessional jobs. After they are certified they can come work for the county. I am beginning my second year as a parapro at the title 1 school that I attended as a kid, and it has made me realize how much title 1 schools need our help. As a kid, I didn't realize these things. I wasn't worried nor did the thought of low-income families ever cross my mind, but now I am fully aware and wanting to help these kids be successful. The students have overcome many obstacles just the first year (last school year) that I was there. They performed marvelously on standardized tests. I cannot wait to see what they achieve this school year (starts next week)!
I agree with most of what you said. After teaching in a title I school for 31 years, I have 6 more years to go. My best "training" was in my undergraduate years. I was a Linguistics and Spanish major. My state has a high number of ELLs. I taught in bilingual programs for the first 24 years until bilingualism fell out of favor. Now it's becoming acceptable again. I've left my school and am hoping to teach in a Dual Language program which I never had a chance to do because we never had enough native English speakers to have a program that met the District's policies. Anyway I think most teacher training programs need to teach strategies for any school setting. Brain-based learning, project-based learning, STEM, STEAM, etc, are what work for EVERY student. Why isn't EVERYONE using the most effective strategies that have been proven by research, including bilingual education? I just came from a great science PD on NGSS that focused on hands-on engagement. The facilitators spoke very little and we did most of the work. They provided the opportunity to choose from 2 activities and we had to experiment and then devise the questions we would ask our students based on our grade's standards. The second activity we needed to construct a lesson to go with the activity. There were 2 criteria discussed in building lessons: ABC - Activity Before Concept which was shared by a participant and the 5 E's - Engagement, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, & Evaluation shared by the facilitators. We used iPads to put our lessons on a platform and then share out our 2nd lesson/activity with the whole class. There are 3 more sessions to go and I can't wait. This was truly a collaborative PD as well in that there were teachers from different districts and some DHH itinerant teachers from the county. I will miss the life science session because it conflicts with a week-long arts integration class I will be taking in July. Hands-on engaging PDs are what teachers need and hands-on engaging teaching is what all our students need and that's what's missing from most teacher training programs in my opinion. The other thing that is missing is how to build relationships with your school community. Maybe that will start appearing soon in teacher training programs since social-emotional learning is a big topic in education right now, but in the meantime its up to us as collaborative practitioners to educate ourselves whether it be through TH-cam, Ed Conferences, PDs, our colleagues, or whatever. Everyone keep on keeping on and thank you to all the TH-camrs who help me keep me going and great facilitators who design PDs that work!
Well said! It sounds like you have a really great PD session. It is very frustrating that everyone doesn't adopt the best researched based strategies that work best for kids. I can tell you why. Money. The big text book companies and curriculum companies make a HUGE amount of money off our schools. If everyone did STEAM or brain based learning, there would be a lot of money lost for companies. It is a shame.
@@KyleThain I wouldn't necessarily condemn textbooks however, at one point in time, they were a necessary means of gaining knowledge and information in certain subject matter such as History and English. Now, with the advent of new technologies like the internet, they are gradually becoming more and more obsolete. Heck, you could assign books written by actual historians instead of textbooks that give generalized information about events. I've read textbooks before, and they can be pretty basic and dry.
If there was ever a reason to get rid of choice enrollment, you hit that reason out of the park. The Title 1 school I worked in also shared the building with a charter school. The parents who did care about their child's education would send them to the charter school and we were left with the transient students who might be there one day and gone the next.
I teach in a suburban/rural district in the community where I grew up. Our entire district is Title I since Hurricane Katrina. We are also one of the top 10 school districts in Louisiana. We were able to build state of the art facilities thanks to FEMA money and private grants. Our schools are much more racially and economically diverse than they were pre-Katrina, and I wouldn't want to teach anywhere else. I love my school and my students, and I work with the best faculty ever. Our school should not be performing as well as it does, but we do. When everyone buys in and does their part, magic happens.
not all title 1 schools are innercity btw my county is a very rural area in the applichas and extremely poor due to that all the schools in my local system except for 2 are all title 1 schools.
TRANSPARENCY: I often approach videos like this with skepticism and what I like to call "PRE-sentment". I just hear a lot and have seen a lot of things done by teachers that Porter on presumption and disrespect for the role of parents. I really don't like that. But part of the way through your video I had to take a deep breath and listen with gracious ears. I will say though that everything you named at 12:47 is important for EVERY teacher to consider about EVERY child, regardless of his or her ethnicity or socioeconomic status. It has been my experience and observation that most new teachers are you prepared to handle the practicalities of dealing with so many young humans every day. That's why an intensive in those courses is a great idea. Something else I have learned is that instruction does not equal instinct, but the implementation of helpful techniques can cover a lack of raw teacher talent. It sounds to me like you *are* a teacher, and that's why you were able to recalibrate your perspective and ignite a passion to persevere in a scenario that you had not planned for... Without the courses that you are saying people need. I believe that those who desire to become teachers need a time of counseling and perhaps assisted/facilitated introspection so that they can recognize whether or not they are merely trying to workout their desire to be a superhero in a classroom full of children who did not ask to be their fans. I love everything you shared about parental and Community involvement. It's so funny to me that most of the time parental involvement is an afterthought when public school and teachers are really only a part of the village that has been handpicked to support the PARENTS as THEY raise THEIR children. I am finding that schools that have children that are really struggling are usually schools that do not have a pure partnership with the parents and families in that community. ESPECIALLY when Community is such a huge part of how Black people (and most other minorities) do life. If you read this, thank you for your time. I have so much more to say and I would love to create a correspondence with you and your wife or whomever else would like to talk about these matters because I think there's a lot to be said and a lot to hear. bookloveforall@gmail.com
I will be working at a Title One school this August. I also feel like this is my calling. Only time will tell. Lol. Any advice for me? I'm going to be implementing some Whole Brain Teaching ideas as well. Im excited and nervous.
Mr. Thain I teach at a public school with mostly affluent students. We have a low free/reduced lunch rate and are not title one. I live in a suburban area in Southern California and teach about 20 min away from home. I have never taught at a title one but we do have some in our district. Love hearing your perspective!
Mr. Thain I taught in a rural title 1 school my first year and then went to an urban title 1 charter, which was a bit of a culture shock- very different environment, but still lots of poverty. I am going to teach in a different urban title 1 school this next year and am excited about it! I do think our schools don't prepare us enough for working in those types of schools.
Mr. Thain I teach in a Title 1 school as well. I am going into my 10th year. My eyes have been opened to so many different home environments. My first year I had students tell me they didn't have crayons at home to do their homework, Blew.My.Mind. Before teaching in my school, there were so many things that were so unknown to me because it was far removed from the way I grew up and the way my daughter is growing up. So many students have a parent or parents that have been jailed due to drug use or distribution. I have had students come in excitedly telling me that they were having a party that night to celebrate mom or dad getting out of jail. Wow. These kids steal my ❤️ every year. I have learned more compassion teaching with these kids and have realized that things I always took for granted before were not the norm for them. Thanks for sharing your perspective. There are A LOT of us teachers out there in Title 1 schools and no 2 schools are the same except for the poverty issue. ❤️ and hugs from Missouri!
I'd be really interested in knowing what school you taught at. I live in Chicago and the school system here it's failing and I really want to help change that.
Wow, it must be amazing to teach at such a supportive school! I think a lot of schools try to portray an image that they are a supportive community but their actions don't always line up with that, which can be extremely difficult. I also agree with what you said about being a new teacher and coming into a school that doesn't completely align with your desire to create a school-wide community... it can be hard to make a difference when other teachers and staff members aren't on board. You can create a positive classroom community within your own classroom but you can't always control the outside forces coming from the rest of the school (specials, lunch, etc.). It goes to show what a huge difference administration and the staff at a school can make regardless of the socioeconomic status of the students. College courses and even internships don't prepare you whatsoever for "real life" in the classroom and having a supportive school environment can make a huge difference!
It really does come from the top down. It starts with the administration creating a culture where change and flexibility are normal and accepted. Every year with teacher turnover being so high new teachers come in with great ideas on how to "fix things" but are often shut down either by unwillingness to change or by the administration. I really hope your next school will have a supportive community around you and you can really flourish!
Mr. Thain Thank you for your advice. I am graduating with my Master of Education in Elementary Education in October and I have been a Paraprofessional in a Title 1 School with experience in Elementary and Middle/Junior High School. Flexibility is one of the keys to your beginnings as a teacher. I have had some highs and lows as a Para but I would not trade it for the world! 😀 It has taught me to be a stronger teacher and be the best teacher I can be for my students.
+Roderick Woodard your experience as a para will be super helpful! Congrats on getting your masters! You will probably be more prepared to teach than someone coming right out of college because you already know what schools are really like and you have real experience!
Mr. Thain Thank you so much for your well wishes! It hasn't always been easy, but it will well worth it when I finish! 😀
I agree that majority of the experiences in college or internships are not preparing us for the real world. However, I do want to encourage you because I have had a great experience at the University I am attending right now. We are talking about working in low income school, about biases, about being the change, kids emotional needs, etc. Education for teachers is starting to change too!
I am a title one kid that had amazing teachers who were patient and taught me English!
And now I teach in the same neighborhood :) It's amazing to give back to the community! ❤️
I'm so happy for you! Thanks so much for the shout out to your teachers, and even MORE so, for staying in the community, and giving that support to others! Deseando a ti grandes cosas! (I'm still learning...🤫)
WOW!!! These were my exact sentiments during my undergrad teaching program. I KNEW I was not being prepared to teach the students that I would be teaching. It actually led me to enter into my graduate program and it has been a total blessing! The program that I'm in now is practice based and we are taught in title one schools that are extremely diverse. You're channel is such a light!! Thank you for operating in your gifts!
No problem, I 'm glad you are getting a good experience now and not just getting thrown to the wolves lol
WOW!!! I've never seen a guy teach such a young grade! Good for you! I would have loved to have you teach my son. Many boys need positive male role models.
I love this video. I have only taught in Title 1 schools and I couldn't imagine doing anything else. I love the community aspect to your school. It really makes a difference.
Without a good community a school will die. I also couldn't imagine teaching in a different type of school. I love when it clicks for a parent and they see their child's education as an opportunity out of poverty. It is a really special responsibility when teaching in a title 1 school.
I teach Title I reading/math at a private Catholic school here in Chicago. It's a middle school but we're very small at only 90 students. Out of those 90, I have 60 currently in Title 1 with me. Our school is in a high risk area, very poor with lots of gang violence but I wouldn't change it for the world. The kids here need me. The community needs me. I love it here.
I have only taught for 2 years, but they have both been in low income or title 1 schools. It is definitely different than other schools, but I feel like it is also rewarding in its own special way.
Yes, very rewarding. No matter where you teach you are making a difference, but there is something special about serving students and families from a high need area.
It's so interesting to hear about your teaching experience from the other side of the world! Thank you for sharing.
No problem! Do you have title 1 schools in Australia?
To be honest, I'm not too sure if we have schools with a similar label! We have schools that have specific titles depending on the population of students enrolled.
I must say that after hearing your prospective it doesn't have that negative sting to it. Yes the things the children have to witness or experience around their home is tragic but you give them hope and focus on what you can control/change. Awesome job. And thank you! We need more teachers like you.
👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽this was really encouraging to listen to!. I agree about the college prep programs needing better classes versus focusing on unit plans
I teach at a school in Detroit that sounds extremely familiar to the experience you had in Chicago. I love these videos (both from you and Pocketful of Primary), and they make me grateful for my college experience. I had 3 practicums (pre-service student teaching) at Title I schools, where there were extremely complex situations (a family member was shot, there were refugees, and several students stayed in homeless shelters, and I student taught at a Title I school, where they also dealt with losing family and extreme poverty. I barely had experience in a school that was well off, but that was a good thing. This past year was my first year teaching, and I relied heavily on my experiences in previous inner city settings.
Great Job!! Love your perspective!! I've only taught at a Title 1school as well. It definitely. has it's challenges.
Thank you! Do you teach in Detroit Public Schools?
No. A Charter School on the West Side!
Amen! I completely agree that teacher prep programs need to offer more realistic training. Thank you for speaking so candidly.
Bluffton?! I'm now a Kinder teacher and went to ONU--class of 2013. You absolutely hit the nail on the head when it comes to Teacher Ed. programs (especially in NW Ohio). I felt that my experience there did such a disservice of genuinely preparing me for my teaching career, even just teaching in a rural Title 1 school. There needs to be a shift soon. It's no wonder the turnover rate is so high. Thanks for making others aware and sharing your experience!
I am a social worker at a title I school. Keep up the good work, I've found that working at a title I isn't for everyone but if it's your jam you should definitely stick with it - the kids deserve great teachers like you! I can't imagine teaching anywhere else but a title I.
+Danielle Nardone it is so rewarding you are doing great work as well being the social worker!
I have taught in Title 1 schools for 10 plus years and love the school I currently teach at. The school is public in a small town.
Thank you for sharing. I went to a very small public school growing up and even though it was not a title 1 school it still had its fair share of problems. Being part of a small town community has is benefits and its drawbacks for sure!
Thank you for sharing. Has your school always been a title 1? I ask because many small town schools and communities became title 1 in Ohio after the economy crashed and haven't been able to recover.
Mr. Thain No! The communities have changed in the last 10 years. We have a large community of Hispanic and Latino families. We are 87 percent free lunch and have 60 percent white, 25 percent Hispanic, 10 percent African American, and 5 percent others. I could have students in my classroom from middle class and low income homes.
Great video! I went to title 1 schools as a k-12 student in Philadelphia. My passion for urban/title 1 schools started from my own experience. I student taught in a suburban school (kindergarten) this past semester, & I hated it (not the kids, just the environment); definitely not my comfort zone. I'm so glad I'll be a teacher in Philadelphia this upcoming school year in a title 1 school (pretty much every school in Philly is a title 1 school) I couldn't see myself anywhere else.
That is really cool that you are choosing to give back in that way. I am really excited to hear all about your upcoming first year of teaching. I really want you to succeed in your first year and I want to be a resource for you if you ever need one. If you ever need anything please let me know!
Thank you! It's so nice entering my 1st year with a nice, little online/virtual teaching community such as yourself, Reynolds, Kate, and etc. 😁 I'm debating on vlogging my first year, but nothing extreme.
I went to an elementary school that was title 1 when I was younger. That school was way better than my old elementary school that we're not helpful at all. The school that was title 1 was very respectful and helped me so much!!! I loved it there. Now I am a teacher at a school at a school that is title 1. The admin and staff are awesome, like a family !
I am a young male teacher and I Co Teach at a Title 1 School. I am certified PreK-4 and Special Ed K-8. I adore my job! I actually Co Teach grades 5-8, even though I am certified in lower grades. My staff is the SAME WAY! We are super united and my kiddos can see it in us. I admire having a supportive staff and could not imagine my school running like this well-oiled machine without it! :) Beautifully, I've met all of the kids so I am able to walk into any room and discipline the students as needed. :) My school runs itself as its own community. I adore my environment! The connection to the kids is wonderful and BEYOND rewarding! :D I completely agree! I was not ready for my own room. So, I am so blessed that I got this job when I do not have all of that pressure! The separate track thing would be amazing! :) You are amazing and keep up the fantastic work!
I loved your video. I am currently a sophomore in college wanting to become a teacher. I have a promised teaching job for 3 years after college. My goal is to teach in a Title I school. Your video sheds so much light on how teaching impacts so many people, not only students. Thank you for sharing your story.
I am sitting her yelling "YES!!!!" My university did not do much to prepare me for the specific challenges of poverty/ Title I schools. You are right, the only way to learn how to teach there is by doing it. I actually teach at a rural Title I school. Different environment from urban schools, but many of the effects of poverty are the same.
Yes, I forgot to mention that a title 1 school does not necessarily mean urban. I really wish they prepared students more in college to teach in title 1 schools!
I just wanted to comment and say that I think some universities are really starting to take notice of the changes in education. I have had a wonderful experience at the university that I am attending. I still have so much to learn but I feel prepared to enter into any school whether that be a school with low income or not. I just want to encourage you that education for teacher candidates is changing too! We've been discussing all of these things in our courses! I am thankful for a teacher like you! Keep up the good work.
I ABSOLULTELY loved this video. I loved your candor. I also teach at a Title 1 school. It is so rewarding. I also feel "called". Thank you so much for making such an inspirational video.
Hey! I am a special ed teacher in Cincinnati! I went to OU for undergrad. Yay Ohio teachers! It's my first year teaching and I find your videos really helpful.
I'm from Ohio! Cleveland area to be exact! lol Now I live in Texas and I work at a Title 1 campus and have always worked at Title 1 schools and I love it! Yes, its difficult at times, but I feel like I'm really making a difference. Love your video, thanks for sharing!
The feeling of making a difference is amazing! Don't you miss the snow?? haha
Sometimes I do, but then I remember what its like driving in it and I quickly get over it lol!
I am in my second year of teaching, and I started in a Title 1 school, however I felt the school that I was in wasn't a good fit for me, and fell into the category of kinda just going along with things without making a real change. Although I love my new school and my students (it is a high income school) I can understand how you feel in regards to making a difference. Teaching in a low income vs high income school is extremely different. Thanks for your video :)
+Rebekah Williams I am glad you have found a good fit! No matter what type of school you teach in you are making a difference. High income schools have there own set of unique problems.
Thank you for this very inspirational and motivational video! I'm a para and parent in a title one school. We are one of the highest performing schools our county. We are afforded so many programs that non title one school.
Former CPS graduate, going into my 13th year teaching!! Great video!!!
Kewpee!! Lol I have family in Lima.
What a great first year experience! I teach in a Title 1 in Sol Cal. Love it. 😊
I mean Kewpee is fine I guess, I just don't really get the fascination with it. People around Lima are obsessed with it lol
Mr. Thain lol For me it's like In N Out in California. I don't get it. It's not that great, but everyone here is obsessed.
I've heard of that but never had it. We all have our regional obsessions haha
I've spend 20 years teaching in Title 1 schools. I wouldn't have it any other way!!
Spot on! Title 1 teacher here! I hope those that have a preconceived opinion truly gain a new perspective. I have no desire to teach any where else.
Tiffany Britt Same here!
That was great, thanks for sharing!
It would be awesome to see you on a teacher talk with Real Rap with the Reynolds! As a future educator I would definitely like to ask questions about Title 1 schools since there aren't many in my area but by the time I graduate I will be moving into an area with more Title 1 schools.
I was actually his first guest on teacher talk lol here is a link to the video! th-cam.com/video/cxS2CH2kAKw/w-d-xo.html
Mr. Thain I should have seen all his teacher talks before suggesting Lol... thank you for the link!!
One of the books that taught me is the book (and YT videos) by an MD: The Deepest Well about the affect of childhood trauma on the mind and body (health). I don’t think there is any one resource to prepare us fully but a variety of resources can inform and try to prepare us. The issues we are dealing with are about how to deal with, interact with, and help the child as a whole person not about helping raise their academic ability. Another issue is when there are learning disabilities or other conditions that impair academic progress or just hinder classroom management (prevent others from learning) but those are not diagnosed and/or not being treated.
I went to a title 1 elementary school, but I didn't know it was a title 1 school nor did I know what that meant. I am currently studying to become an early childhood educator with the help of a program that began my freshman year of college. I live in an area of Georgia where most of the population is Hispanic. This program seeks bilingual individuals who want to become a teacher. Because of the not enough spanish-speaking teachers in the county, this program partnered with the county to cover these students' full college tuition while giving them part-time paraprofessional jobs. After they are certified they can come work for the county. I am beginning my second year as a parapro at the title 1 school that I attended as a kid, and it has made me realize how much title 1 schools need our help. As a kid, I didn't realize these things. I wasn't worried nor did the thought of low-income families ever cross my mind, but now I am fully aware and wanting to help these kids be successful. The students have overcome many obstacles just the first year (last school year) that I was there. They performed marvelously on standardized tests. I cannot wait to see what they achieve this school year (starts next week)!
Well said Mr. Thain.
Thank you!
I agree with most of what you said. After teaching in a title I school for 31 years, I have 6 more years to go. My best "training" was in my undergraduate years. I was a Linguistics and Spanish major. My state has a high number of ELLs. I taught in bilingual programs for the first 24 years until bilingualism fell out of favor. Now it's becoming acceptable again. I've left my school and am hoping to teach in a Dual Language program which I never had a chance to do because we never had enough native English speakers to have a program that met the District's policies.
Anyway I think most teacher training programs need to teach strategies for any school setting. Brain-based learning, project-based learning, STEM, STEAM, etc, are what work for EVERY student. Why isn't EVERYONE using the most effective strategies that have been proven by research, including bilingual education?
I just came from a great science PD on NGSS that focused on hands-on engagement. The facilitators spoke very little and we did most of the work. They provided the opportunity to choose from 2 activities and we had to experiment and then devise the questions we would ask our students based on our grade's standards. The second activity we needed to construct a lesson to go with the activity.
There were 2 criteria discussed in building lessons: ABC - Activity Before Concept which was shared by a participant and the 5 E's - Engagement, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, & Evaluation shared by the facilitators. We used iPads to put our lessons on a platform and then share out our 2nd lesson/activity with the whole class. There are 3 more sessions to go and I can't wait.
This was truly a collaborative PD as well in that there were teachers from different districts and some DHH itinerant teachers from the county. I will miss the life science session because it conflicts with a week-long arts integration class I will be taking in July.
Hands-on engaging PDs are what teachers need and hands-on engaging teaching is what all our students need and that's what's missing from most teacher training programs in my opinion. The other thing that is missing is how to build relationships with your school community. Maybe that will start appearing soon in teacher training programs since social-emotional learning is a big topic in education right now, but in the meantime its up to us as collaborative practitioners to educate ourselves whether it be through TH-cam, Ed Conferences, PDs, our colleagues, or whatever.
Everyone keep on keeping on and thank you to all the TH-camrs who help me keep me going and great facilitators who design PDs that work!
Well said! It sounds like you have a really great PD session. It is very frustrating that everyone doesn't adopt the best researched based strategies that work best for kids. I can tell you why. Money. The big text book companies and curriculum companies make a HUGE amount of money off our schools. If everyone did STEAM or brain based learning, there would be a lot of money lost for companies. It is a shame.
And shameful. Everybody needs to grow some balls and stand up to the corporations who are ruining our society and our planet!
@@KyleThain I wouldn't necessarily condemn textbooks however, at one point in time, they were a necessary means of gaining knowledge and information in certain subject matter such as History and English. Now, with the advent of new technologies like the internet, they are gradually becoming more and more obsolete. Heck, you could assign books written by actual historians instead of textbooks that give generalized information about events. I've read textbooks before, and they can be pretty basic and dry.
If there was ever a reason to get rid of choice enrollment, you hit that reason out of the park. The Title 1 school I worked in also shared the building with a charter school. The parents who did care about their child's education would send them to the charter school and we were left with the transient students who might be there one day and gone the next.
I teach in a suburban/rural district in the community where I grew up. Our entire district is Title I since Hurricane Katrina. We are also one of the top 10 school districts in Louisiana. We were able to build state of the art facilities thanks to FEMA money and private grants. Our schools are much more racially and economically diverse than they were pre-Katrina, and I wouldn't want to teach anywhere else. I love my school and my students, and I work with the best faculty ever. Our school should not be performing as well as it does, but we do. When everyone buys in and does their part, magic happens.
Great Video. I’m reading Project 2025 that wants to rid of Title 1. I have lots of questions on how this will affect the children in these schools.
not all title 1 schools are innercity btw my county is a very rural area in the applichas and extremely poor due to that all the schools in my local system except for 2 are all title 1 schools.
Good video, very detailed!
Thank you!
Completely agree! College does NOT prepare you for Title I schools! We deal with a lot of emotional trauma.
This is awesome!
TRANSPARENCY: I often approach videos like this with skepticism and what I like to call "PRE-sentment". I just hear a lot and have seen a lot of things done by teachers that Porter on presumption and disrespect for the role of parents. I really don't like that. But part of the way through your video I had to take a deep breath and listen with gracious ears.
I will say though that everything you named at 12:47 is important for EVERY teacher to consider about EVERY child, regardless of his or her ethnicity or socioeconomic status. It has been my experience and observation that most new teachers are you prepared to handle the practicalities of dealing with so many young humans every day. That's why an intensive in those courses is a great idea.
Something else I have learned is that instruction does not equal instinct, but the implementation of helpful techniques can cover a lack of raw teacher talent.
It sounds to me like you *are* a teacher, and that's why you were able to recalibrate your perspective and ignite a passion to persevere in a scenario that you had not planned for... Without the courses that you are saying people need.
I believe that those who desire to become teachers need a time of counseling and perhaps assisted/facilitated introspection so that they can recognize whether or not they are merely trying to workout their desire to be a superhero in a classroom full of children who did not ask to be their fans.
I love everything you shared about parental and Community involvement. It's so funny to me that most of the time parental involvement is an afterthought when public school and teachers are really only a part of the village that has been handpicked to support the PARENTS as THEY raise THEIR children. I am finding that schools that have children that are really struggling are usually schools that do not have a pure partnership with the parents and families in that community. ESPECIALLY when Community is such a huge part of how Black people (and most other minorities) do life.
If you read this, thank you for your time. I have so much more to say and I would love to create a correspondence with you and your wife or whomever else would like to talk about these matters because I think there's a lot to be said and a lot to hear.
bookloveforall@gmail.com
You need come on down to Willams Memorial Elementary school in South Carolina in Saint George, SC were are a title one school good school!!
5 years teaching in a Title 1 School...and counting!
Nice! Keep on going! It is so rewarding!
I will be working at a Title One school this August. I also feel like this is my calling. Only time will tell. Lol. Any advice for me? I'm going to be implementing some Whole Brain Teaching ideas as well. Im excited and nervous.
Great video!
Thank you!
Question of the day: What type of school do you teach at? Public? Charter? Private? Also do you teach in an urban, rural, or suburban school?
Mr. Thain I teach at a public school with mostly affluent students. We have a low free/reduced lunch rate and are not title one. I live in a suburban area in Southern California and teach about 20 min away from home. I have never taught at a title one but we do have some in our district. Love hearing your perspective!
Mr. Thain I taught in a rural title 1 school my first year and then went to an urban title 1 charter, which was a bit of a culture shock- very different environment, but still lots of poverty. I am going to teach in a different urban title 1 school this next year and am excited about it! I do think our schools don't prepare us enough for working in those types of schools.
MrsMae9 Thank you for sharing! Teaching in a suburban area what would you say is the most challenging thing?
Chelsey Janney Thank you for sharing! Did your charter school have anything special about it? Like uniforms or some unique strategies or curriculum?
Mr. Thain I teach in a Title 1 school as well. I am going into my 10th year. My eyes have been opened to so many different home environments. My first year I had students tell me they didn't have crayons at home to do their homework, Blew.My.Mind. Before teaching in my school, there were so many things that were so unknown to me because it was far removed from the way I grew up and the way my daughter is growing up. So many students have a parent or parents that have been jailed due to drug use or distribution. I have had students come in excitedly telling me that they were having a party that night to celebrate mom or dad getting out of jail. Wow. These kids steal my ❤️ every year. I have learned more compassion teaching with these kids and have realized that things I always took for granted before were not the norm for them. Thanks for sharing your perspective. There are A LOT of us teachers out there in Title 1 schools and no 2 schools are the same except for the poverty issue. ❤️ and hugs from Missouri!
I'd be really interested in knowing what school you taught at. I live in Chicago and the school system here it's failing and I really want to help change that.
+De Ha I taught at The Carter School Of Excellence in the Washington Park neighborhood. It's an AUSL school. I loved it there.
Check out my new video about my Charter School Experience: th-cam.com/video/MiX5Qx877e8/w-d-xo.html
Mr. Thain was is challenging to take you exams to be certified?
not at all lol pretty basic from what I remember. It was a long time ago!