Sally Hogan Participates in Education Poverty Learning Simulation

2018 Feb 12

Sally Hogan, an Elmira College education major, recently participated in a hands-on simulation with faculty and staff from the Elmira Heights School District, along with the nonprofit organization, Pro Action, to better understand what it's like to live in poverty.

During the simulation, Elmira College students were assigned professional roles including teacher, grocer, bill collector, banker, police office, and social services worker. The high school faculty and staff took on roles of those facing poverty.

The participants were then placed into scenarios showing the obstacles for a family or individual in poverty, including going grocery shopping, running errands, or simply providing basic necessities on a limited budget.

After interacting with each other throughout the simulation, the participants discussed how the experience impacted how they would approach poverty, teaching, and learning in the future. They also took away a broader awareness of poverty and how better help low-income families and learners.