Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1205100
11 | WEAnews Poverty Simulation: Creating Real Compassion Through Simulated Circumstances More than 60 educators at Clear Creek Middle School in Buffalo took part in a Poverty Simulation, as part of a teacher in-service day. "WEA has been doing Poverty Simulations for a few years to help our members better understand the experience of students and families in poverty," said WEA Central/ Northeast UniServ Director, Judy Trohkimoinen. "It's an in-depth simulation of living for a month in poverty and deciding how to pay bills, keep a family fed and keep a household running on limited funds." "It was interesting because I felt pretty helpless," said WEA member and english teacher at Buffalo Highschool, Karen Blaney. "That really made me think about kids who are in need and might not even know who they can ask for help. That's something to look out for," added Blaney, "we don't always know who—of our students—has had their water turned off or who doesn't have food." We hope that after experiencing the simulation, our members are more understanding of students and families living in poverty and can point them towards resources in their communities," said Trohkimoinen. As a small business owner and employer in the Buffalo community, high school business teacher Kami Kennedy is attuned to the fact that paycheck-to- paycheck living is a reality for some in Buffalo. But, Kennedy found the Poverty Simulation to be valuable nonetheless. "There was nothing extra. We were just paying for needs. There were no wants involved: we weren't paying for a phone, we weren't paying to go to McDonald's. Any luxury like that was not even on the table," said Kennedy. "We were making just enough to get by. Which, we did. But, it was difficult." Many educators took the same lesson away from the Poverty Simulation: "Be more aware of students' situations," said Kennedy. "Just be more empathetic." Karen Blaney echoed this concept, adding "It's important for educators to be on alert that kids who might look bored or disinterested, or angry, are—in some cases—really covering for other circumstances in their lives outside of the classroom." Multiple WEA staff members are trained in orchestrating Poverty Simulations. To bring the experience to your school, contact your UniServ Director.