Teaching within a low SES school is bittersweet.
Teaching is a demanding profession. The average teacher, regardless of his or her assignment, overcomes many obstacles throughout the school year. With that said, teaching within an economically disadvantaged neighborhood school is physically, mentally and emotionally draining. For better or worse, teaching within low socio-economic status (SES) neighborhood school is bittersweet.
Teaching within a low SES neighborhood school, at times, is a bitter experience. Without a doubt, the academic gap is quite daunting. In fact, it’s alarming to realize the lack of certain academic foundational skills, such as reading comprehension, specifically at the secondary level. It’s enough for one to question the justification for any social promotion policy.
Another bitter pill to swallow is the propensity for student misbehavior. Not surprisingly, disruptive behavior is a result of academic frustrations. However, putting academics aside, students also grapple with personal tribulations throughout the school year. Despite these harsh realities, a teacher must