The Hidden Culture of

Poverty in Schools
Addressing the needs of students in poverty through PhotoVoice

Introductions
School Counseling Students
Steven Ono
Sockheng Nay
Chelsey Thomas
Ruth Howard
Advising Professors
Dr. Manivong Ratts, Dr. Arie Greenleaf

History
1990s Ford Foundation Project
Captured the lives of village women in China (Wang & Buris,

1997)
Explore identities, themes and challenges (Wang, 2005)
Presently used with participants from marginalized communities

(Williams, Greenleaf & Owens, In Review)

Purpose
The three main goals of PhotoVoice are to enable people:
1. To record and reflect their personal and community strengths and

concerns.

2. To promote critical dialogue and knowledge about personal and

community issues through group discussion of photographs.

3. To reach policymakers.

The power of photography is to literally capture participants

perspectives.

(Wang, 1999, p. 185)

Our Purpose: Addressing Hidden Poverty

Incorporating students voices and perspectives in decision making
Addressing achievement/ opportunity gap
Counseling technique; opening doors for communication

Demographics

2 Photography Classes
Total: 55 Students
Males: 30 Students
Females: 25 Students
Grade: 19 (9th grade), 14 (10th grade), 5 (11th

grade), 17 (12th Grade)

Core Group
Total: 8 Students (4 males, 4 females)
Grade: 4 Seniors, 3 Sophomores, 1 freshman
Race/Ethnicity: White, African American, Latino,

Vietnamese, Samoan, Somali, Russian, Afghani

Methodology:
Qualitative

High School
1. Photography Class Visit
2. Classroom Lesson
Brief History of Photo Voice
Stevens Photo Voice Example
Project Assignment (2 weeks)
3. Student Project Presentation
4. Selected Student Debrief
Counseling Group
One on One

What are students in poverty

saying about .

Disconnectedness

The doors. Perhaps I look at the clocks

more, but these doors are a gateway to
another world in my life. One where I
dont really have to stay. One where I
take control of things. One world where
I can be free from the work and stress
of life. -- Student One

Lockers are a view wherever you go

around the school. Seeing the same
lockers as you take the same route to
classes every day gets repetitive. Days go
by yet there really isnt any daily change,
making the life here a bit boring.
Student One

Blurry Hallways
No one notices me. Student Two

The view of the home stretch after taking a 5 minute walk from the bus stop on the
road home. Majestic on the clearest of days, moody when the clouds cover up the blue,
and dark when the rain takes over. Its a view allowing for a bit of hope in days to
come. Student One

What else are students in

poverty saying about .

Identity

My family is my motivation
for trying to get a great
education and be successful
in life.- Student Three

Everyday after school,

after finish my homework
I would always draw in my
sketch pad -- Student
Four

Finally when my whole family is together were siting down to

the diner table. And I really love to eat what my mom cook.
Student Five

Contradiction. -- Student Two

What else are students in

poverty saying about .

Academic Barriers

From last year I started to study English . This year I have all
new classes ,thats why I'm staying after school almost
everyday to do my work, or ask for help. Student Five

I thought I wasnt going to

graduate on time until I
startedlooking for information
for credit retrieval, I found
something that could change my
whole life around, the
Washington youth academy.
Student Four

At Home
When I come home, I'm having a little rest, eating and start doing my homework.
pretty often Im using dictionary for translate some words, that I dont understand.
Student Five

What else are students in

poverty saying about .

College and Career

Why I shot this image is

because education is my
main goal in life that I believe
is key. Education to me is a
big deal also I believe that
education will have a great
impact in my life in the
future. Student Three

Photo 2

This is a picture of the Des Moines marina. I

could not resist the urge to always come to the
marina. It was a calming place. After school I
would just drive by there even though my house
was in the other direction. Student Six

My brother was going off to eastern for

his second year and I decided to ride
along. I think during that road trip I saw
nature at its finest. Student Six

Im learning Samoan
tattoo art from my uncle.
-- Student Four

Student Suggestions on what PSC can do:

Relationships

Community Members

Teachers

Off campus events

Mentors

Guest Speakers

School counselors cant do anything.- Student

Personal Insights
Targeting specific

population

Teacher classroom

expectations

Structured framework
Qualitative nature

Individual

accountability
Gathering photos vs.
taking photos

Everyone Deserves a Voice.

- www.photovoice.org

References
Wang, C. (1999). Photovoice: A participatory action research strategy applied to
women's health.Journal of Women's Health,8(2), 185-192.
Wang, C. (2005). Photovoice: Social change through photography.Retrieved April,6,
2007.
Wang, C., & Burris, M. A. (1997). Photovoice: Concept, methodology, and use for
participatory needs assessment.Health education & behavior,24(3), 369-387.
Williams, J. M.,Greenleaf, A. T.,Owens, T. (in review). Photovoiceas a teaching tool for
clientadvocacy.Journal of Counselor Education and Supervision.