Participation Type
Paper
Presentation #1 Title
Implications for Teaching in Rural Appalachia: Unity, Diversity, and Location
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
Teachers must tailor instruction to context in which they teach. Within rural districts in the Appalachian region, there are intrinsic differences in urban and rural schools. In rural settings, teachers and teacher preparation programs must recognize many factors that have an impact on students, the classroom, and the community. Even though there are some common threads and trends, rich diversity exists in both rural and urban areas. The way a teacher addresses commonalities and differences (such as those related to ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, religion, and other aspects of identity) will affect the social climate in a school and community. This presentation will provide a survey of factors affecting rural Appalachian schools and discuss their implications for instructional planning and teaching. It will explore ways for educators to enhance what rural communities and the students from them bring to the table, not replace it. Participants will hear practical applications for the classroom, review comments made by teachers and students about the rural Appalachian classroom, receive a bibliography of resources, and have an opportunity to voice their thoughts and insights.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
J. Michael King is a native of the New River Valley in Virginia, but he now resides in Pikeville, Kentucky where he is an Associate Professor of Education at the University of Pikeville. He earned his Ph. D. at Virginia Tech, focusing on human differences and disability, and both of his Masters degrees come from Radford University in English and Counseling.
Implications for Teaching in Rural Appalachia: Unity, Diversity, and Location
Teachers must tailor instruction to context in which they teach. Within rural districts in the Appalachian region, there are intrinsic differences in urban and rural schools. In rural settings, teachers and teacher preparation programs must recognize many factors that have an impact on students, the classroom, and the community. Even though there are some common threads and trends, rich diversity exists in both rural and urban areas. The way a teacher addresses commonalities and differences (such as those related to ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, religion, and other aspects of identity) will affect the social climate in a school and community. This presentation will provide a survey of factors affecting rural Appalachian schools and discuss their implications for instructional planning and teaching. It will explore ways for educators to enhance what rural communities and the students from them bring to the table, not replace it. Participants will hear practical applications for the classroom, review comments made by teachers and students about the rural Appalachian classroom, receive a bibliography of resources, and have an opportunity to voice their thoughts and insights.
