Four-day class cost:   $250 per person. Includes book and workbook and numerous other materials.  Arrangements can be made to bring the class directly to a school district.

Two semester graduate credits are available through Minnesota State University , Moorhead, MN for half the standard fee.

Children and adults from poverty often are not given the same chance for academic and job success as those from middle class because our schools and employment are typically based upon middle-class norms and values which they don’t understand.  The middle-class teacher often expects people from generational poverty to behave in middle-class ways and is perplexed when they do not.  “Hidden rules” exist in economic classes and when those in positions of power and authority come from a class with rules different from those with whom they work, understanding and communication often breaks down.

This class provides educators with a better understanding of poverty and improved skills to work with children from generational poverty.  The theme running throughout the class is a belief that, despite the obstacles poverty can create for children, there are specific strategies to help overcome them.

Topics addressed in this class include how economic class affects behaviors and mindsets, why students from poverty often fear being educated, the hidden rules within economic classes, discipline interventions, eight resources that make a difference in school and work success, support systems, family structure, and the role of language registers.

This class is based on the work of Dr. Ruby Payne’s Framework for Understanding Poverty. Presenter is Pat Anderson , Poverty Consultant for Lakes Country Service Cooperative.  Pat has been trained by Dr. Payne and is a certified trainer.  This service is supported through an Otto Bremer Foundation grant.

Pat Anderson, Consultant
218-739-3273 (LCSC)
218-739-2149 (Home)
panderson@lcsc.org