2026 Third Quarter Teaching with Poverty in Mind Book Study

Join us for our 2025 - 2026 Third Quarter MSTA "Beyond the Book" Club Book Study, featuring Teaching with Poverty in Mind: What Being Poor Does to Kids Brains and What Schools Can D About It by Eric Jensen.

Participants are responsible for obtaining their own copy of this month's text prior to the beginning of the book study to order; click here

Join us in this study as we explore Teaching with Poverty in Mind by Eric Jensen, gaining a deep understanding of how poverty impacts students' brain development, behavior, and learning. Teachers will learn practical, research-based strategies to build strong relationships, create safe and engaging classrooms, and teach social-emotional skills that foster resilience and academic growth. This book provides actionable techniques for improving focus, behavior, and achievement while emphasizing the importance of high expectations and a supportive school culture. Get ready to be inspired and equipped with powerful tools to make a meaningful difference in the lives of your students!

This book is facilitated by MSTA Member Ursulla Wadley. Ursulla graduated from Southeast Missouri State with a bachelor’s degree in Exceptional Child and Elementary Education and obtained her master’s degree in educational leadership at William Woods University. She completed her Trauma-Resilience Studies Certification through Southeast Missouri State, becoming a Trauma Informed Professional. She started her career as an elementary teacher. After seeing the need to help students who were unable to succeed in a regular classroom setting, she took on the role of coordinator/teacher in a support/intervention program. Ursulla then served as the JAG (Jobs for America’s Graduates) Specialist for Cape Central Academy, an alternative high school. She is now serving JAG as the Regional Manager for the Southeast Missouri Region. She is passionate about coaching teachers in ways to increase instructional time and build meaningful relationships with students, all while using effective, trauma-informed interventions.

​​​​​​📘 MSTA's Online Learning Platform

MSTA uses Teachable to host its online professional learning activities, including discussions, group work, and course materials.

What You’ll Find in the Course:

• Discussion Boards: Share insights and reflect with peers.
• Guiding Questions & Tasks: Apply key ideas from readings.
• Asynchronous Format: Participate anytime, anywhere.

🧭 Getting Started with Teachable

First-Time Participant?

Check your email for a message from Teachable (sent to the address you used when registering). Follow the link to confirm your email and set your password. Your course will appear under "My Products."

Returning Participant?

Log in using your email and password from a previous course to access your dashboard.

​💬 Course Expectations

• Attend Zoom networking sessions to connect and collaborate.
• Complete assignments that link course concepts to your classroom practice.
• Access to course resources continues after the course ends.

🎓 PD Certification

• At the end of the month, participants who complete all the course requirements and attend the zoom meetings will receive 8 hours of PD. Certificates are available in your Teachable account.

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