A few thoughts from today's class

Just a few thoughts I had that I didn't get to say in class today - Similar to several of you, I work at a summer camp over the summer break. Race-wise, it's pretty diverse but it is in a very low income area. I found out this summer that over 80% of the kids that attend camp can only attend it because of donors to the YMCA and their financial assistance program. I have the pleasure of working with the 6th-7th graders, and several things I've learned related to our discussion in class today. Many of them are in summer school, and come straight to camp after. They would frequently ask to use my smart phone because they had homework for school, and they had no computer at home to be able to do it. Growing up in a middle class family, I never could have imagined not having the necessities I needed to do my homework. The school most of them attend is split down the middle poverty wise, and I think some teachers overlook the fact that some of these students don't have the resources they are being asked to have to complete work. All of the campers, girls especially, are amazed with the fact that I go to college, "school after school" as they say. Many times, they've made comments about how they would never go to college because "my mom/sister didn't". When I'm home during winter breaks, I work at the after school program through the Y. The same kids I see come to camp at 7AM and get picked up at 7PM, are the same kids who attend the before and after school programs during the school year. Many of them have single parents who have to work these insane hours everyday just to provide to their families. It really is eye-opening, and important to remember as a future educator. Just wanted to share!