A Mind Shaped by Poverty: Ten Things Educators Should Know

by Regenia Rawlinson

Children who live in poverty want the same things other children want-to be treated with respect and given equal opportunities. Unfortunately, many students living in poverty enter school with barriers that interfere with learning and make it more difficult for them to achieve. In the essential guide A Mind Shaped by Ten Things Educators Should Know, educator Regenia Rawlinson shares a comprehensive look at how poverty affects academic success and what educators can do to solve the problem. Rawlinson draws on thirty years of experience as a teacher, school counselor, and district administrator as she explores ten phenomena that will help other educators understand the ways in which living in poverty has the potential to shape a child's mind. While offering strategies for teachers to help students overcome the effects of a debilitating indigent mindset, Rawlinson also shares compelling details from her own poverty-stricken childhood and how her own experiences shaped her beliefs about herself. A Mind Shaped by Ten Things Educators Should Know helps teachers enhance students' confidence, improve academic achievement, and most importantly, banish the negative effects of a poverty mindset.

Genres: Education, Nonfiction

56 pages, Paperback

First published May 17, 2007

Reviews

[Meagan · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

A lot of these issues are common sense, even for educators. While I appreciate the story telling that Rawlinson provides from her own background and the few interactions she has had with students, there is an overall lack of depth in how to engage with students on a deeper level.

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good read for anyone who works with low-income people, particularly if you were raised in a middle class environment. Understanding the fundamental differences in the way we were raised to view the world is critical to successfully bridging barriers to access, even internal ones. The hidden language of the middle class is real, and it should not be taken for granted that all Americans were raised with the same behavioral values.

[Courtney Cahoon White · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just skims the surface of issues. Ruby Payne's work is more in depth. The author here shared her personal stories every....single....chapter.

[Carol Pirog · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written book by an educator who has been there. Many authors write about children in poverty with no first hand experience of what poverty is really like. A Mind Shaped by Poverty is a 'must read' book for anyone who works with children of poverty. While, not an end all book about how to teach children, this book is essential to developing a firm foundation about the mindset of students who are dealing with poverty, which is the starting point for success.

[Meghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book would be good for changing mindsets of educators. It is very heavy with anecdotal experiences versus data or pedagogical strategies.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick, easy read with crucial information for anyone who's job includes trying to help youth overcome a childhood steeped in poverty.

[George Kasnic · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good information, writing could be better, could have been a journal article rather than a short book. And the writing needed an editor. Read if for grad school, it was sufficient for that purpose. Did I say the writing could be better?

[David Minger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Struggling with my students this year and looking for help. This book answers some of the reasons why students do what they do.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent, easy read, makes sense. Puts into words how poverty shapes a child's learning, thought process, and perceptions.

[Becky Schutman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although this book is short - it can provide a teacher with some quick background knowledge on their students. I can see this being a great book for first year teachers!