As we have been able to see through the resources provided to us this week, homelessness and poverty are grave issues that affect a multitude of individuals across the nation. The documentary and articles provided this week were eye-opening in showing how this issue impacts youth, and the many facets of this issue beyond the financial circumstances: mental health, discrimination, and even immigration issues. Though these themes and topics are all important to address, two themes that particularly stood out to me were the need to understand and be compassionate towards those with diverse housing situations, and the ability schools or educators have in being a safe haven for the homeless or impoverished youth.

Understanding of Diverse Housing Situations

As mentioned, an important theme expressed was the need to understand diverse housing situations individuals may face. It is important to understand how one’s housing situation may affect them, and as an educator, this needs to be taken into great consideration. As educators, we must understand how housing situations impact students when it comes to their mental health or behaviors, their ability to complete homework, or their ability to arrive at school. In the film, for example, Kasey mentions how her teachers would comment on how she was one of the smartest students in the class but would fail to turn in assignments or show up (De Mare et al., 2014). Educators must understand the unique circumstances of each individual, and support them throughout their academic journey as best as we can without overwhelming the student. When creating assignments, planning projects, and sending homework, we have to be mindful of students who perhaps do not have access to these resources, parental support, or even a home to return to and complete their work.

It is important that not only educators understand these housing situations and their implications, but for the peers of the student to understand this as well. Of course, we do not want to draw unwanted attention to a particular student or disclose information, but instead, give the other students a general understanding about this topic. For the students who are experiencing homelessness or poverty, it may be important for them to see themselves reflected in the classroom and know that they should not feel shame or judgement. Since I plan to teach younger grade levels, a great book that I found was A Place to Stay: A Shelter Story by Erin Gunti, which talks about a young girl and her mother and their experiences living in a women’s shelter. At the very end of the story, the author includes a section titled “Shelters and Homelessness”, which talks about why individuals stay in shelters and how shelters help them (Gunti & Meza, 2019). I chose this book to tie into the theme because it provides younger students with a basic understanding of homelessness, poverty, and diverse housing situations, allowing them to be able to better grasp this perhaps new concept. 

Opportunity and Safe Haven

The second important theme to note is how schools and educators provide opportunity and a safe haven for impoverished students. As seen in the film, because of the help he was provided by his teacher, Roque was able to have a home, finish high school, and eventually go off to college (De Mare et al., 2014). Furthermore, with laws such as the McKinney-Vento Act, students can receive free education, allowing them to go to school and at least have that place for them to learn new skills, interact with others, and even have warm meals (McKinney Vento Homeless Education, 2021). In addition to this, grant programs, such as the one done by the New York State Department of Education which awarded $7.1 million to homeless students allow these students to have more access to resources and the opportunity to gain their rightfully deserved education (New York State Education Department, 2022). In providing students these resources and opportunities, students can redirect their attention toward their academic goals, not having to stress over their housing situation. 

As an educator, I believe it is crucial to acknowledge the difficulties students face, how these issues may limit students in some areas, and provide support and resources that allow them to overcome these obstacles. I want all my students to be successful, to reach their highest potential, and to strive to better their circumstances. Ultimately, with the help of these opportunities and educational success, the students can take agency and create a better life. A great song I felt this idea related to is Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car”, which talks about changing one’s life, taking the “Fast Car” as the opportunity to leave their old life behind (2015). For many, this “Fast Car” is education itself, using their academic achievements to persevere and obtain success.

In closing, this week’s exploration of poverty and homelessness through a variety of resources highlights the crucial need for empathy, understanding, and assistance for all individuals. In addition to offering students academic opportunities, teachers play a critical role in creating a safe haven where they can overcome obstacles and achieve their educational dreams, ultimately motivating them to break cycles of hardship and strive toward a brighter future.

References

Chapman, T. (2015, November 9). Tracy Chapman – Fast Car (official music video). YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIOAlaACuv4&t=1s  

De Mare, A., Kelly, K., & Taber, K. (Producers), & De Mare, A., & Kelly, K. (Directors). (2014). The homestretch [Streaming video]. United States: Bullfrog Films.

Gunti, E., & Meza, E. (2019). A place to stay: A shelter story. Barefoot Books. 

McKinney Vento Homeless Education. (2021). New York State Education Department. http://www.nysed.gov/essa/mckinney-vento-homeless-education

New York State Education Department. (2022, August 17). New York State Department of Education Awards $7.1 Million in Federal Grants to Programs Supporting Homeless Students. http://www.nysed.gov/news/2022/new-york-state-education-department-awards-71-million-federal-grants-programs-supporting