Effective Teachers for Homeless and Highly Mobile Children

1. Effective Teachers for Homeless and Highly Mobile Children Maylan Dunn-Kenney Northern Illinois University

2. Who is Homeless or Highly Mobile? • Children who move six or more times from Kindergarten to grade 12. • Children staying in emergency/temporary housing (shelters) & transitional shelter • Children living in cars, tents, outdoors, substandard housing • Children “doubled up” with others* • Children staying in hotels or motels**due to hardship

3. Did You Know? • It may take four to six months for a child to recover academically from a school transfer. • Highly mobile students are half as likely to graduate from high school. • Isolation after a move impacts school attendance and performance. • Mobile students are twice as likely to repeat a grade. • Mobility also adversely affects the academic achievement of stable students.

4. How vulnerable are you to becoming homeless? • Could you ever experience a flood, fire, tornado, or other disaster? • Could you ever suffer a long-term illness without proper health benefits? • Do you live in a household with only one wage-earner? • Are you ever behind on monthly bills? • Are housing costs growing faster than wages in your area?

5. Many families are 2-3 paychecks away from homelessness.

6. Factors Contributing to Low Achievement of Homeless Children • Poverty • Racial or ethnic background (social discrimination) • Frequently changing schools (once a year or more) • Low English proficiency • Poor teaching • Poor attendance

7. Characteristics of Effective Teachers of Homeless and Highly Mobile Children • Well educated • High verbal ability • Expert content knowledge • Knowledge of effective teaching practices • Able to use a variety of teaching methods and materials • Cultural awareness • Ability to speak a second language • Teaching Experience

8. Effective teachers of children who are homeless know how to establish flexible routines that are consistent from day to day.

9. Effective Teachers of Homeless Children Meet Affective Needs • Caring • Being fair and respectful • Interacting with students • Being enthusiastic and motivating • Positive attitude about teaching • Reflecting on practice

10. Effective Teachers of Homeless Children Meet Academic Needs • Assess and plan for student needs • Deliver instruction effectively • Assess learning • Provide access to necessary materials

11. Effective Teachers of Homeless Children Address Technical Needs • Food, shelter, and clothing • Family social services • Correct academic placement and service • Advocacy and implementation of the McKinney-Vento Act

12. What is the McKinney-Vento Act? • Districts must have a Homeless Education Liaison • Children must be allowed to remain in school of origin if feasible, OR be allowed to enroll immediately in the school nearest where they are staying whether or not family can provide the required documents (proof of residency, immunization records, etc.) • School must assist family in acquiring records and documents as quickly as possible.

13. Teachers & McKinney-Vento • If a child reveals the “secret” of homelessness, immediately assure the child that he or she will not have to change schools. • Not sure if McKinney-Vento is relevant in your district? Very conservatively, at least 10% of your children receiving free lunch are homeless. Homelessness in suburbs has increased significantly.

14. Tomlinson and Jarvis (2006) assert, “When we lift our eyes from the pacing guide long enough to observe the individuals in our classroom, they will often teach us exactly what nourishment they need to thrive.”

15. EFFECTIVE TEACHERS for HIGHLY MOBILE and HOMELESS CHILDREN is a component of Jonathon’s Heart, a teacher education curriculum, funded by a grant from Northern Illinois University in collaboration with HEAR US Inc.HEAR US Inc., … giving voice & visibility to homeless kids… HEAR US Inc.1163 E Ogden Ave. #705-329Naperville, IL 60563 www.hearus.us 630/225-5012Diane Nilan, president/founder