Guest speaker visits University of Central Florida's teaching academy

By DJ Mastroianni

ORLANDO, Fla- Assistant principal Dr. Elvis Epps visited the teaching academy at the University of Central Florida on November 20. Epps came to speak about the impact of poverty in the classroom, including the three most important strategies to helping students in poverty succeed in the classroom.

“Reading, classroom management, and the classroom environment are the three factors that will help teachers become prepared to teach in inner-city schools,” said Epps.

An inner-city school references schools within an older, central part of a city, especially when characterized by crowded neighborhoods in which low-income, often minority groups predominate.

“Teachers tend to bum out of education in 2 to 3 years if they get inner-city school positions,” said Epps, “The percentage of children in poverty of these classrooms range from 80 to 100 percent.”

DeAnna Hamoud, graduate from University of Central Florida, said, “After hearing about how important reading is, I am happy that I chose to get a masters degree in reading education because I know it will help me be a better teacher.”

Student Jenny Harper said, “No classes at UCF are offered to teach about classroom management. He should really teach a class here because we really need it!”

For further information about Epps and teaching more effectively e-mail him at Eepps@ocps.k12.fl.us or go online to order his book at www.elvisepps.com.