Summer 2005, Volume 10 Number 2

Table of Contents

About This Issue...

This issue marks the first time we are taking a closer look at the challenges and opportunities that face educators in teaching about hunger and poverty.  These are not easy subjects to present to students at different stages of their education, but due to the persistence of poverty in this world they must be discussed and investigated.

Professor Martin C. Fergus offers an undergraduate course on poverty at Fordham University. You will see how despite the subject matter student’s transform feelings of discouragement or despair they might have into feelings of empowerment and hope.

The Caedmon School in New York City is an unusual Independent School that reflects the leadership of Carol Goose DeVine. She addresses the question of “why teach about social justice issues?” Caedmon is a school that only goes through 5^th grade, but that does not hold the teachers back from presenting students with difficult issues to grapple with. Stephanie Kempf, the author of the KIDS Teacher Guide, has a son attending the school, has taught there and now is a member of their board.

Dr. Ava McCall is back, and as usual we are better for that. Her concern deals with the frustration she feels with the reluctance of students and teachers to include the discussion of poverty in their curriculum. She outlines three common sense suggestions to overcome resistance.

Finally, an “Open Letter” sent to us by a teacher from Michigan who conducts an after school art class for 4^th and 5^th grade students. Janine Murphy-Evenson helps students use their artistic talents to help people in their community. Along the way, they start to learn about hunger and poverty and realize that they can make a difference.

Enjoy,

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