The Demand for Teachers in Urban Areas

by Melony Brown

There are two schools of thought when it comes to teaching in an urban school: run as quickly as possible to a suburban school or run straight into an urban school with creativity, passion, and commitment oozing from your pores. Why the drastic difference? Simple. Some would look at the seemingly insurmountable circumstances (high crime rate, apathy, low test scores, and poverty to name a few) and feel there was no way to make a difference. While others would look at the same circumstances and see a challenge.  

For those who feel teaching in an urban area is an opportunity to make a real difference, read on. The seemingly insurmountable circumstances are undeniably there, but change starts with one person at a time. Martin Luther King, Jr. and other civil rights leaders could have viewed the insurmountable circumstances surrounding their desire for civil rights for all and decide the challenge was too great. Instead, they made a commitment to the cause and to each other to start with a small change and take it from there. Their obstacles were great; yet, they didn’t give up the first or second or fiftieth time they didn’t make progress. They were committed to the cause.

The same mindset must be in place for those teachers who choose to teach in urban schools. The students and families who live in urban areas are faced with the reality of high crime rates, apathy of other residents in the community, and gangs every time they open their doors. For most, school is an opportunity to rise above those circumstances. Your role as their teacher goes beyond reciting a list of facts they need to know for the gateway test at the end of the school year. The methods you use will differ greatly from those used in a suburban school.

Schools in urban areas lose teachers almost as fast as they can hire them. However, many programs are now in place to encourage highly-qualified teachers with a strong commitment to take on the challenge of teaching in urban schools. Just a few years ago, the same teachers would agree to teach in an urban school, be given their class rosters, and then left to “make it” on their own. Most of those teachers didn’t “make it” past their first year.

Fortunately, support teams and additional training are now given to teachers who teach in urban schools to help retain them. The support teams are comprised of veteran teachers and administrators who’ve discovered methods and approaches that work with these students. It is equally important to this support team to offer support on those days the teachers feel like throwing in the towel. Additional training is provided on an on-going basis to equip the teachers with programs geared to reach urban students and improve their test scores. No longer will you be left to fend for yourself.

As you read these words, do you recognize yourself? Are they reflective of your beliefs about educating all students? Do you have the level of commitment to ‘hang in there’ no matter how tough it gets? Do you feel the calling to take on the challenge of teaching students who deal with many circumstances that seem to get in the way of their education? These students deserve teachers who are passionate about teaching and wholeheartedly committed to them. You will not only change their lives, but yours as well. The satisfaction of seeing a child be successful cannot easily be put into words.

Making a change starts with one person. Will that person be you? Are you ready for the challenge? If so, your students are waiting!