Hi John,

I know you're a teacher too, so I'm guessing we have similar stories about how poverty affects our students. One thing that happens at my school is that a poor student will secure an internship with a good company, but then not have appropriate attire or transportation and so they have to turn it down. Meanwhile, the kids whose parents can afford a few pairs of Old Navy khakis and a used car end up with this valuable internship experience that gets them into a good college, etc...

One of my very very poor students just came into some money when his dad got a settlement after a car accident. The first thing they did was go out and by three new VR headsets--even though they don't have beds, shoes or coats. As teachers, I find it hard to walk the line--how do you teach them that their choices are not great without sounding judgemental? Who am I to say that sheets on your bed are a better investment than a VR headset?

Anyway, great article...I hope it goes farm and lots of people with power (AKA money!) read it!