Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/733506
BACK TO SCHOOL 2016 | wyoea.org 9 By Christine Fitzgerald (Arp Elementary - Cheyenne) - Several years ago I had the opportunity to participate in a poverty simulation training conducted by WEA in Jackson, WY. The training was eye-opening, and I really wanted to pass what I learned on to others. Fast-forward several years and, along with my current job, I also help set up a summer para conference for LCSD #1 paraeducators. I know that paras are often put into some of the most difficult situations at a school, often times with little to no training. I thought that the poverty simulation would be a great way to show paras what some of our students were going through on a daily basis and give them a greater understanding of what they need to do to work with these students. Everyone that attended really seemed to enjoy it, and the debriefing afterward brought on a great discussion. Additional information regarding the Poverty Simulation offered by WEA: The Poverty Simulation allows participants to "experience" some of the frustrations & feelings, obstacles, and constraints of living with limited resources while trying to meet the everyday needs of work and family. Participants of the Poverty Simulation experience a month of poverty (four 15-minute "weeks"), trying to access services while working to cover life's basic necessities. The Poverty Simulation was originally developed by the Missouri Association of Community Action and has been updated periodically since. It is designed to stimulate changes in attitudes, behavior, and policy. The Poverty Simulation is meant to improve services for people with low income, increase connections among programs and organizations serving families with low income, and increase advocacy for the millions of families living in poverty in the United States and the tens of thousands in that predicament in Wyoming. Poverty Simulation Meet Your New Board Members Madeline Trujillo-Hamel Southwest Region Representative Mary Wolf ESP Representative Barry McCann Southeast Region President Marci Kutzer Central Region Representative For more detailed information or to schedule a Poverty Sim in your school or district, please contact WEA Professional Issues Director Kathy Scheurman at kscheurman@wyoea.org.