I have to admit, I have never had to worry about when my next meal was let alone if I was going to be able to buy food for my children. This is something most of us take for granted. As a teacher working in rural Saskatchewan, we do not see poverty. We do sometimes see questionable forms of parenting, but not poverty. I am not sure what I would do if I lived in a place where healthy food was a luxury. Having lived in Northern Ontario for a few years on a reserve, we did see many children come to school without breakfast. Parents chose to spend their money on other things and not on the necessities of life. When parents did have an little more money, the children would be given a portion of the money to spend on what ever they wanted. Some did make wise choices and selected foods that were a little more healthy, however, more often than not, junk was the food of choice.

As educators, we do not have to be told the effects poor eating habits have on a students scholastics. One mineral which the body requires for concentration is iron. Low levels of iron can be linked with a decreased ability to concentrate, especially in class (see Benefits of Iron).

How does this affect educators? I really am not sure exactly how I can help. I am only one teacher, working as an intern in a small school. Lack of food is hardly an issue in Luseland. As an intern, I am paying to work and so money is spent wisely around our house right now. I am not financially capable of donating funds to the many organizations that fight against poverty. One thing I do know is that while living in Ontario, our family had an open door policy. Many students knew they could come to our place for shelter, food, even a listening ear. This policy is still in place here in Macklin. I, most likely, will not have to open my house too often to a student who requires a meal, but I still have to wonder how I can help fight against this issue. For the next 30 + years, I will be part of many students lives. I may not be my students favorite teacher or win the “teacher of the year” award, but I will be an example in the lives of all those students I do come in contact with. They will be learning from me, by example. Poverty awareness is something that is not taught in my math classes and I most likely will not be bringing it up on regular basis in my computer classes. But through conversations with my students, teaching students the need to be aware of issues which may not affect them directly, and by encouraging them to pursue excellence in everything they do, maybe I can help my kids realize they play a part in the fight against poverty by the actions they choose.

It seems ironic this Poverty Action Day is being held the day after Canadian Thanksgiving; a day when families all over this country; whether born here, immigrated citizens or people visiting this country for a short time, can have the day off from school and work to commemorate the long journey and difficulties endured by settlers when they came to the New World. Many churches use this day to give thanks to God for the bounty provided during harvest or the many blessings which have been received. No matter how we look at Thanksgiving Day, it should be a day when we take time to think about the many luxuries we have in Canada and to also take the time to remember there are many other people who are less fortunate than us. It should encourage us to think about what part we play in the global community and how we can help fight the battle of poverty not only in the third world countries but in our own back yards.