Mrs. R's Challenging Perspective

In my class this week, we had the question posed: "How can you better meet the needs of your GT students, especially those from low-income and minority backgrounds?" This is so hard! We can't control what happens once they leave the school building, but we can control what we do and how we reach them. Here's my response...what's yours? "Students with low-income and minority backgrounds often have some gaps in their learning, at no fault of their own. "For students who come from backgrounds of poverty, the role of individuals who take a special interest is central to helping them keep their dream of a better life alive. Sometimes it is a family member, but many times it is also an educator who sees a spark and encourages its ignition." (VanTassel-Baska & Little, 2017, pg 52-53) With this being said, our role as the teacher is even more important for these students! We need to see that "spark" and try to find ways to help them light it ...

My name is Mrs. Rutherford (the kids call me Mrs. R) and I am certified in Middle School Math & Science, Elementary Education, and Early Childhood Education. My perspective is a little challenging right now because I do not currently have my own class of students. So let me explain... I taught 6th grade math and science for 4 years at Beck Academy Middle School before deciding to stay home full-time with my own 2 children (which was 12 years ago.) During my time at Beck, I actually taught the "G&T half team" for 3 of those 4 years, without any actual background or training in gifted and talented education. Over the past 12 years, I've been very busy and haven't really stayed out of the classroom completely. I taught both 3K and 4K at a private preschool, each for a year. Then I began my long-term sub journey, where I've now taught 4th grade, kindergarten (twice), 3rd grade, RTI, Special Education, and I will begin in multiage (combined 3rd & 4th gra...