Teaching in an Urban setting

So in this blog I want to reflect on my previous teaching experiences as well as my observations. Some teachers go into teaching preparation programs with ideas on how they would like their classroom to look and be run as well as the types of students they would like. When I entered into my NYC classroom in the Bronx last school year I was full of hope and excitement. I was going to plan lessons, meet my students, then teach these lessons. All my students were going to learn and be successful and this was going to be so much fun. Boy was I wrong. I had no idea of the real state of education. I wasn't aware that most of my students were below the poverty line, that most of them were well below reading level, and had low motivation levels when it came to learning and being in school. I found in the beginning most of my time was spent disciplining and not teaching. I would have many days where I could not get through my lesson. I was so frustrated and discouraged. At the same time, I loved my job. Some may wonder why would anyone want to teach under these conditions. The truth is many urban schools are in these conditions. I really cried, and asked myself some days is this really what education is like. I thought the goal or mission of education was to ensure that all students benefit from learning in ways that allow them to participate fully in public, community, and economic life. I didn't feel I was doing that.
Contrastingly, I observed recently at a private school. All the students were prepared, knew the answers, completed their assignments, no discipline problems at all. This was an ideal situation or was it? I was completely bored and said I didn't want to teach at a school like this. I said they don't need me. I want to be at a school where I feel I am making a strong impact. Although the beginning of my year started very difficult it became easier. One I adjusted my mindset and taught and did things according to what my students needed versus what I wanted to do, things improved. I maintained my high expectations for them I just changed my approach. I developed strong relationships with them that allowed them to know they could trust me and that I cared. I really believe that this is what students in urban settings need. When everything is hard at home they don't need to come to school and be given situations that are even harder. Yes, they will struggle with content but it is our job as educators to ease the transition and make the curriculum assessable to them. I mentioned in an earlier post that one way to do this make the lesson relate to their lives. What are some other ways we can achieve this? What are other teacher's thoughts about what they want in the classroom. I would rather work with "at- risk" students or in troubled schools, how do others feel?