List of disadvantaged people who became very successful

MakeEmLaugh

Hi,

I'll be working in a secondary school with quite socially and economically disadvantaged students in September, and I was planning on creating a few posters featuring some important figures who were born into quite dire situations - poverty, etc - but who then become extremely successful. I'm thinking more academically and professionally than, say, in a celebrity sense.

Do you have any suggestions?

spurious

Those kids will not see themselves as disadvantaged. I'd be careful about that. Local might be better.

f3232

MakeEmLaugh wrote: »

Hi,

I'll be working in a secondary school with quite socially and economically disadvantaged students in September, and I was planning on creating a few posters featuring some important figures who were born into quite dire situations - poverty, etc - but who then become extremely successful. I'm thinking more academically and professionally than, say, in a celebrity sense.

Do you have any suggestions?

While the sentiment is worthy, it might be a little patronizing to your students?

seavill

I was thinking the exact same thing as the previous two posters

killbillvol2

I'd agree with the other three posters.

sitstill

Having worked in DEIS schools for years, I agree with the other posters. Good sentiments alright but there are better ways to inspire these kids.

gaeilgebeo

I too agree with previous posters.
I also work in a DEIS school and I could see such a plan back firing on you.
I don't think it would be appreciated and students may find the posters offensive.

It's also worth noting that a lot of DEIS school students do go on to be successful academically and professionally.

Pinkycharm

Put up inspiring quotes altogether, and maybe put a new one up each week or something that they will have to look for it. My classroom is littered in them. I work in a school in a disadvantaged area too and found that by the end of this year kids were using the quotes in their English Essays, where they were relevant AND asking for some to be translated to Irish!

Educating themselves and they didn't even know it!

Even better- get them to bring in quotes- I had loads of Eminem ones and a few more on the walls too and a Walt Disney one.

It's great!

spurious

I have visited a lot of schools in my time and lots of them have pictures of past pupils up on the walls - Mary Bloggs, B. Sc. UCD; Johnny Bloggs, B.A. UCC etc..

I remember visiting one (and for the life of me I can't remember where it was Midlands I think) and they didn't just have the graduates, they had lads who worked in yards, girls who worked in shops, just honest hard-working jobs. I remember thinking we should have done that in our school, but as usual there was never any time to get the info and photos etc..

Not everyone measures success in the same way. I remember asking one of my 'Going to work in FAS after the Junior' kids what would be his dream job, expecting him to say something nonsensical like playing for United or similar. But no, he wanted, as he put it, to be the man who fixes broken windows, puts up shelves and changes light bulbs - and do you know, he would have been bloody great at it, but I doubt he'll ever get the chance being an early school leaver.

sitstill

spurious wrote: »

I have visited a lot of schools in my time and lots of them have pictures of past pupils up on the walls - Mary Bloggs, B. Sc. UCD; Johnny Bloggs, B.A. UCC etc..

I remember visiting one (and for the life of me I can't remember where it was Midlands I think) and they didn't just have the graduates, they had lads who worked in yards, girls who worked in shops, just honest hard-working jobs. I remember thinking we should have done that in our school, but as usual there was never any time to get the info and photos etc..

Not everyone measures success in the same way. I remember asking one of my 'Going to work in FAS after the Junior' kids what would be his dream job, expecting him to say something nonsensical like playing for United or similar. But no, he wanted, as he put it, to be the man who fixes broken windows, puts up shelves and changes light bulbs - and do you know, he would have been bloody great at it, but I doubt he'll ever get the chance being an early school leaver.

I heard about this "Wall of Fame" idea recently and we had discussed starting one next year in school as we want to encourage more of them to go on and try third level.

aunt aggie

There is a well used poster entitled famous failures.. People who achieved success after been told to give up. Walt Disney was told he had no imagination! Surprises kids and might encourage the sentiment OP wanted.

seavill

I don't think anyone is saying its a terrible idea as such I think people are just warning to be careful how you go about it OP.

Like others have said people don't necessarily see themselves as disadvantaged or the total flip side of the coin they may be very consciour of it and don't take kindly to some teacher coming in telling them they are.

There is nothing wrong with your idea just think about how you want it to come across, for example taking your post, now kids these are people who became successful after coming from dire situations and poverty, so see what you can achieve. This way would finish you in that school on your first day, they would never listen to a word you say.
However if you go at it in a different way by maybe starting with a topic of successful people in your subject somehow and explain that over the year you will put up a poster each week/month of a different individual and as a group we might find out more about them. Using this example I wouldn't go straight to the "disadvantaged" person, maybe take an average joe soap, then work your way around over time to someone from a tough background etc. This way it won't be as obvious to them the point you are trying to make.

Just an idea. I have in the past worked in a DEIS school, very tough but very rewarding and I loved every minute of it (well almost). However I did see what the kids perceived to be a "snotty posh" teacher coming in here talking down to us. Obviously this is not what you are trying to do but just to be warned that these things can be a very sensitive issue and there are ways of getting across the same point without jumping straight in and alienating them straight away

marko747

I do agree with the sentiment that some are expressing in relation to the attuide that some students might take, and that is understandable, but I do think this could be something really meaningful for your students. Maybe as a first day introduction, or a group activity, let them pick who they think are inspirational. For a writer it could be someone like J.K Rowling, depressed, struggling single mother to a billionaire. Or for a sports fanatic, some footballer. I do think your intentions are good. I do know that in my own school we have all our UCD etc entrance scholars displayed as well as photos or jerseys or students who went on to play for Ireland at an international level. The local joe blogs people, local inspirations, maybe a team manager who went to the school might also be appropriate. Maybe they could visit the class. Best of luck op

evolving_doors

It could have a negative effect to depending on who you chose and how you frame 'success'.

Shur look at that fella on the wall sir, he hadn't (or didn't need) a LC to be rich/famous.

Also someone with average academic prospects could be turned off by a picture of an academic succes.

So maybe a good mix of portraits! To be eligible maybe the subjects might be asked for a quote as to what the school had given them (not just in terms of grades).

The idea is good though, and it could be extended to a mentoring network or for TY work experience thing if thats the way you want to go.

ger vallely

I think that if put forward correctly it could be a fabulous idea. It ought not be just about academic achievements.That's just my feeling though! And even if it is a sports star who left school early (Zinidine Zidane for instance)that too can be very inspiring. Zidane did not get to where he was by sitting on his backside.As others have suggested- local people,working or volunteering is a fabulous idea too. There are so many unseen stars in each community.Let us know how you get on..