#24 Poverty and the Soft Bigotry of Low Expectations

Dr. Anael Alston @DrAAlston talks about common misconceptions that educators have about students in poverty. Born and raised in Bedford-Stuyvesant Brooklyn, Anael "Dr. A" Alston is an award-winning educator and serves as Superintendent of Schools of the Hamilton Central School District in Hamilton, NY. Prior to that, he was the principal of the Robert M. Finley Middle School in Glen Cove, New York and principal of Great Neck North Middle School in Great Neck, New York. Dr. A is passionate about leadership, service, and all things public education. In today's show, we discuss how teachers should approach teaching students who are in high-poverty situations. This is important because Anael argues that many thoughts about students in poverty are off-base. In today's show we discuss: The mindsets and attitudes students need for success How educator expectations are an essential ingredient of student success The importance of relationship with students Anael's advice for what teachers should do daily to adjust their thinking and prepare to teach difficult students. A full transcript of this show and the show notes are available at www.coolcatteacher.com/podcast as well as details on entering this month’s giveaway contests.