Principals and teachers in the Shelby County Schools iZone learned new ways of working with children of poverty thanks to a visit from renowned author and education expert Dr. Ruby Payne.

Payne, who speaks to educators across the nation and overseas, spent the day Saturday with iZone staff members at Hamilton High discussing a wide range of topics including the challenges teachers face working in poverty-stricken ares.

Her lessons hit home for SCS staffers in attendance.

"Many of our children and their families live in survival mode," said Cherokee principal Sunya Payne.  "Students come with that mindset to school and are already stressed.  Dr. Payne talked about being firm and confident in our approach with students but also how to engage their attention.  I feel her messages really spoke to many of my teachers today—especially my first-year teachers."

Payne’s workshop for iZone staff members focused on her popular book A Framework for Understanding Poverty.