Area Educators Attend GEAR-UP Workshop
(Press Release 11-07-07)
Hank Mooney, Office of Public Information

“How does poverty impact learning, work habits, or decision making? The reality of living in poverty brings out a variety of obstacles for students.  If teachers work with students and have an understanding of these obstacles then the impact in the classroom will be invaluable,” explained Heather Jones, GEAR UP Trainer/Coordinator, Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.

Jones addressed 38 area men and women at a Ruby Payne Framework for Understanding Poverty training sponsored by Eastern Oklahoma State College’s GEAR UP for a Brighter Tomorrow grant.

The two–day training was held in McAlester at the Wanda Bass Higher Ed Center. Participants included faculty and staff from Antlers, Buffalo Valley, Canadian, Clayton, Crowder, Haileyville, Hartshorne, Indianola, McAlester, McCurtain, Talihina, and Wilburton.

Participants learned the “hidden rules” or social cues that differ greatly between the classes; the impact of economic class differences on communication, interactions, and expectations; and symptoms of generational poverty and how they differ from situational poverty.

“It’s not intelligence or potential that many struggling students lack, but rather the cognitive structures so vital to effective learning and academic success,” said Jones. “Students from poverty often miss out on these mental building blocks, but you can change that starting today.”

Jones explained poverty-related behaviors and mindsets that affect learning, identified the resources and strengths of any student, and presented tips, tools, and intervention strategies proven to improve student achievement.

Each participant received Ruby Payne’s book and workbook, “A Framework for Understanding Poverty.”

Pepsi, Coca Cola, Carl's Jr., Roy’s Cardinal Food Stores, Subway, and Wal–Mart donated items for the training along with Angels' Diner, Rosanna's, McAdam's 1896, The Meeting Place, Pizza Inn, and GiaComo's who provided discounts to participants, Eastern GEAR UP coordinator Linda Morgan said.

“It would be difficult to provide these seminars without our partners who help us so much.”

Eastern Oklahoma State College received a $6.7 million federal GEAR UP grant and is in its second year of implementation. Eastern has partnered with 19 area schools to provide students with additional educational opportunities.

Photo 1:

Photo 1 Caption: Non Pittsburg County GEAR UP attendees

Heather Jones, GEAR UP Trainer/Coordinator with the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education addressed 38 area men and women at a Ruby Payne Framework for Understanding Poverty training sponsored by Eastern Oklahoma State College’s GEAR UP for a Brighter Tomorrow grant during a two-day training session in McAlester at the Wanda Bass Higher Ed Center on the Eastern campus. Participants included faculty and staff from Antlers, Buffalo Valley, Canadian, Clayton, Crowder, Haileyville, Hartshorne, Indianola, McAlester, McCurtain, Talihina, and Wilburton.

Those attending included:  Front Row: Kim Suttles, Wilburton; A. J. Mason, Buffalo Valley; and Pennie Gilbert, Buffalo Valley. 

Back Row: Heather Jones, GEAR UP Trainer/Coordinator, Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education; Cherish Marshall, Wilburton; Sandy Oliver, McCurtain; Rebecca Bryant, McCurtain; Flo Gillespie, Talihina; Donna Branton, Antlers; Krista Curley, Talihina; Karen Smallwood, Clayton; Tonia Bray, Clayton; and Kathy Schier, Antlers.

Photo 2:

Heather Jones, GEAR UP Trainer/Coordinator with the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education addressed 38 area men and women at a Ruby Payne Framework for Understanding Poverty training sponsored by Eastern Oklahoma State College’s GEAR UP for a Brighter Tomorrow grant during a two-day training session in McAlester at the Wanda Bass Higher Ed Center on the Eastern campus. Participants included faculty and staff from Antlers, Buffalo Valley, Canadian, Clayton, Crowder, Haileyville, Hartshorne, Indianola, McAlester, McCurtain, Talihina, and Wilburton.

Those attending from Pittsburg County included: Front Row Left to Right: Tracy Matthews, Canadian; Carrie Williams, Crowder; Sonny Richards, McAlester; Chuck Geis, McAlester; Sherri Walker, Haileyville; and Stephanie Vicars, McAlester.

2nd Row: Heather Jones, GEAR UP Trainer/Coordinator, Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education; Amy Jewell, McAlester; Amber Hitchcock, Crowder; Kim Gillispie, McAlester; Patricia Gaines, McAlester; Crystal Smith, McAlester; Lynn Benedict, Haileyville; Cindi Munn, Hartshorne; and Brandie Kirkes, Haileyville.

3rd Row: Erika Giles, McAlester; Brenda LoPresto, McAlester; Carolyn Miller, Canadian; Bonnie Strickland, McAlester; Jennifer Lewis, McAlester; Debbie Williams, McAlester; Audra Mouser, McAlester; and Delores Blessing–Hawkins, Indianola;