Dr. Paul D. Gibson
I wrote Thanking Teachers Working in High-Poverty Schools to show my appreciation to teachers who teach in high-poverty schools for the wonderful work they do. They change lives and provide a positive influence daily for students living in poverty. Teachers are often the primary caregivers for their students after parents, grandparents, or guardians. To the teachers, I want you to know that you deserve several things. You deserve a place at the table for decisions in education, official recognition as first responders, kudos for your unbelievable pedagogical tact, and for the first time in educational research, you deserve professional recognition for your commitment to your students. For the first time in educational research, our study shows that the longer you are a teacher, the deeper your commitment becomes. A new teacher will typically be a caregiver, then with time, a negotiator, then an advocate, and then a crusader. Those who have been teaching for the longest time are typically the crusaders. This discovery is totally new for educational research and just for fun you can look up your status on pages 124 through 128. If you are a teacher in a school of impoverished children, this story is a 'Thank You!' note to you.
