1) Avoid Punishing students for their poverty circumstances

​Ex: If homework is not completed because a student doesn’t have a place to do it, the resources, or the assistance, don’t punish them by taking away privileges.

 

2) Consider starting up a space in the school where students can borrow/donate old clothes, school supplies, prom/semi dresses, winter clothing

 

3) Students may not have internet, provide print resources, give time in class for homework, do not assign a lot of homework.

 

4) Know the resources in your community.

​ Ex: Any student in Maine can get free internet access at their house

 

5) Educate yourself and students on classism, income disparity, consumerism, and other injustices affecting those who are living in poverty conditions.

 

6) Have extra school supplies, snacks, clothes, and personal hygiene items in your classroom. Find subtle ways to give these out to students in need.

 

7) Advocate for students in poverty and help them get into gifted and talented programs, college level courses, and other opportunities that their advantaged peers may have.

 

8) Reach out to parents through their desired form of communication. Continue to reach out if they don’t respond, this establishes a trusting relationship.

 

9) Challenge those around you who stigmatize and stereotype students and their families who living in poverty.

​

10) Give options when asking guardians to pay for things

 Ex: For field trips or other student events that require payment, give parents three options: I can pay for my child and another child, I can pay for my child, I cannot pay at this time. 

​

11) Use kinesthetic activities in daily learning.

​

12) Avoid assigning homework, especially that which requires the internet.