Overcoming the Poverty Mindset & Teaching Optimism
How Educators Can Use Brain Research & Current Best Practices to Promote Positive Relationships & Prevent Bullying, Cyberbullying & Relational Aggression.
Do You Know Students Who Have...
- Resistance or refusal to participate in normal school activities?
- Persistent moodiness
- Chosen social isolation?
- Sudden declines in school performance?
- Constant worries or anxieties?
- Extreme involvement with social media and/or digital games?
- Depression, sadness or irritability?
- Self-destructive behaviors
- Symptoms of substance abuse?
- Indifference to others’ feelings?
Overview
Schools serving low-income, marginalized communities tend to face similar and pervasive issues resulting from poverty. And, with the high levels of anxiety, fear and isolation that the pandemic has fostered, students in these communities are especially vulnerable. Yet, research has shown that the “Poverty Mindset” may be more to blame than actual economic conditions in these communities. Some people in low-income, minority homes are thriving in the current situation. The difference is that they demonstrate resilience, positivity and productivity. The Poverty Mindset makes it almost impossible for students to develop these critical Social-Emotional skills.
This on-site training session will clarify misconceptions about poverty. You will discover what the Poverty Mindset is, why it exists and how it covertly impacts our students and our schools. Explore how optimism can change this pervasive mindset. Learn why optimism is critical to resilience and how to teach it. See how changing the Poverty Mindset and teaching optimism can change school climate and create equity.
Learning Objectives
- Understand misconceptions about race, class and culture
- See key components of the Poverty Mindset in student attitudes and behaviors
- Recognize underlying causes of negative beliefs and underachievement
- Discover techniques for teaching resilience, coping and thriving skills by fostering optimism
- Gain empowering strategies for addressing traumatic experiences and bridging the equity gap.
See What Attendees Have to Say
FAQ
– Classroom Teachers
– Principals
– Special Education Personnel
– School Counselors & Psychologists
– Other Administrators
– Social Workers (all levels)
– At-Risk Coordinators
– Counselors & Therapists in Agencies & Private Practice
– After-School Program Coordinators
– Special Education Personnel
9:15 am ET/8:15 am CT | Attendee Login |
9:30 am ET/8:30 am CT | Clarifying Misconceptions
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10:30 am ET/9:30 am CT | Understanding Poverty Mindset
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11:30 am ET/10:30 am CT | Identifying Poverty Mindset
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12:30 pm ET/11:30 am CT | Lunch |
1:30 pm ET/12:30 pm CT | Combat Poverty Mindset
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2:30 pm ET/1:30 pm CT | Transform Poverty Mindset
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3:30 pm ET/2:30 pm CT | Teaching Optimism
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4:30 pm ET/3:30 pm CT | Question & Answer Session |
Certificates of Completion for this on-site training, which indicate 6 contact hours of Continuing Education, will be available at the end of the session upon completion of a course evaluation.
In many cases, depending on your Profession and Jurisdiction, this Certificate of Completion is sufficient for tracking your Continuing Education and Professional Development efforts.
We suggest that you contact your local Board or Governing Agency to see exactly what steps are necessary for approval in your particular discipline. Please note that Developmental Resources is also an approved Provider for the following National and Regional Accrediting Agencies.
Developmental Resources has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 5602. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified.
Seminar Information
Click On Each City for Event Time, Location & Registration Information
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8:00-8:30 | Registration |
8:30-10:00 | How Nature and Nurture Influence Girl Drama, Relational Aggression & Bullying
|
10:00-10:15 | Break |
10:15-11:00 | The Impact of Social Networking & Technology on RA
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11:00-12:00 | Prevention Strategies for Schools
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12:00-1:00 | Lunch (On Your Own) |
1:00-2:30 | RA and Mental Health
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2:30-2:45 | Break |
2:45-3:45 | Individual & Group Strategies to Address RA
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3:45-4:15 | Networking Group Discussion (Optional Attendance) |
– Classroom Teachers
– Principals
– Special Education Personnel
– School Counselors & Psychologists
– Other Administrators
– Social Workers (all levels)
– Law Enforcement/SRO
– Counselors & Therapists in Agencies & Private Practice
– Media Specialists
|
Certificates of Completion for this seminar, which indicate 6 contact hours of Continuing Education, will be available at the end of the seminar upon completion of a course evaluation. In many cases, depending on your Profession and Jurisdiction, this Certificate of Completion is sufficient for tracking your Continuing Education and Professional Development efforts. We suggest that you contact your local Board or Governing Agency to see exactly what steps are necessary for approval in your particular discipline. Please note that Developmental Resources is also an approved Provider for the following National and Regional Accrediting Agencies.
Developmental Resources has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 5602. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified.
Presenter
Hotep Benzo, MBA

*In case of an emergency, another qualified presenter will substitute
Education success strategist and award-winning author Hotep Benzo, MBA is widely known for his proactive, “tough-love” approach to education. As a 15-year master teacher, he developed a reputation for requesting the most troubled students and transforming them into willing participants in their own education. He is the founder of Hustle University and creator of the MAKE A WAY program, a series of high-relevancy curricula used in more than 1000 schools throughout the United States. His work has earned him nominations for the Presidential Citizens Medal and as a CNN Hero. Hotep is also creator of the Outcome Progression Model, which he uses to help schools transform a culture of poverty, excuse-making and helplessness into one of empowerment, resiliency and success.