According to basic statistics - Talk Poverty: http://talkpoverty.org/basics/, as of 2012-2013 there are approximately 1.2 million homeless students in U.S. K-12 public schools. A homeless person is defined as one who does not have a "fixed, regular, and adequate night-time residence," according to the McKinney-Vento Act at a glance.
When thinking about educating youth who do not have a stable home to go to at night nor a safe consistent place to rest or eat, how can you expect them to be alert, fresh, aware, or even know the subject matter during the day. When teaching homeless youth, a teacher must plan for students not able to prepare or have background knowledge in subject matter. The classroom is where learning takes place and should not be expected to happen outside the school building or day. This may seem like an odd thing for an educator to say, but when a student and their family is more concerned with where they are going to sleep tonight, how can the teacher expect the student to complete homework. What can be done in a classroom to help guide, educate, and develop homeless students? The chain is only as strong as its weakest link is true in schools too. If our weakest students are deficient because of environments or actions out of their control, what can we help them control? How can we offer supportive, caring, safe environment while teaching topics that may not mean anything to them?
First and foremost, students need to feel loved. When a connection can be made between student and teacher, students are more willing to work hard, even if they don't like it. A simple question or comment about the child, offering an insight showing you notice them can help students to feel safe.
Second, structure in necessary. When everything else around them is unknown, it is nice to have one thing that is constant and consistent in their lives. Maintaining a structured yet flexible, when needed, classroom can help students to be prepared for what is next. Students need to know the rules and when the rules are broken, what the consequences are. Some students will break rules to get out of class, others my break rules to get attention, whatever the reason be prepared for it. It may be better to have "no tolerance" as opposed to "zero tolerance." As a teacher you have the ability to make things fair, but that does not always mean same. No tolerance allows you the ability to make decisions based on the problem and circumstances as opposed to zero tolerance which paints you into a corner with only one consequence for the actions.
Third, patience and empathy. Understanding that everyone has different experiences, that is what makes our world great. In a classroom that can be difficult to teach to. Through patience you will be able to learn where the student is starting at and what they are able to do. Through empathy you will be able to comfort and reassure the student(s) of their abilities great and small.
Lastly, differentiation of instruction, topics, reading, math, etc can make all the difference. Is it important that everyone does the same thing the same way? No, but it is important that everyone learns the topics being studied. Centers, individual work, book work, activity based learning, etc can reach different students in different ways. Some students will be more comfortable working alone whereas others may blossom in a group. It is not necessary that every child be good in every situation, but it is necessary that every student show they are able to learn.
When working with students who bring baggage to your classroom, show them love, give them structure, be empathetic, and patient. Then watch your students grow into amazing young adults!
