from the classroom to the great beyond presenters: natalie cobb, avila university annie flurry,...
TRANSCRIPT
From the Classroom to the Great Beyond
Presenters:Natalie Cobb, Avila University
Annie Flurry, Shawnee Mission School DistrictKaren Garber-Miller, Avila University
Stacy Keith, Avila UniversityAlicia Murillo, Avila University
From the Classroom to the Great BeyondBenefits of Service Learning and
Community Engagement
O (Source: University of Minnesota Community and Service-Learning Center)
Benefits for StudentsO Increase understanding of the curricular topicsO Gain hands-on experiences that lead to
college/career readinessO Explore one’s own values and beliefs and have
opportunities to act on theseO Develop deep critical thinking and problem-
solving skillsO Grow understanding of diverse cultures and
communities.O Learn more about social justice issues and
their root causes
Benefits for StudentsO Improve ability to handle ambiguity, deal with
multifaceted challenges, and practice flexibility of thinking
O Develop specific skill sets especially in areas communication, collaboration, and leadership
O Test out potential career paths or explore fields that might interest you
O Connect with professional and community members from whom you can learn
O Grow a professional network which may help later with job placement, internships or university application references.
O Satisfy affective needs/urges toward public service and civic participation
Benefits for TeachersO Encourage interactive teaching methods and
reciprocal learning between students and facultyO Add new and engaging dimensions to class
discussions and interactionsO Attract highly motivated and engaged students to
coursesO Increase the energy level and excitement in
classesO Decrease behavior management challengesO Provide networking and interdisciplinary
opportunities for engagement with teachers in other disciplines
O Provide enhanced opportunities for professional development and practice (i.e. grant writing skills, professional presentations, travel opportunities, publication opportunities)
O Foster relationships between schools and community organizations and promotes positive images of schools
O Provide the teacher with firsthand knowledge of social justice issues beyond the classroom
Benefits for Teachers
Benefits for Community Partners
O Gain additional human resources needed to achieve goals
O Inject new energy, enthusiasm and perspectives into the work
O Grow the organization’s volunteer poolO Increase public awareness of key issueO Attract media attention (this often
happens when schools and community are working together)
Benefits for Community Partners
O Educate the larger community and correct impossible misperceptions
O Help prepare today’s young people to be part of tomorrow’s civic leaders
O Network with colleagues, teachers, professionals in other agencies interested in the same type of issue/work
O Identify educational resources otherwise unknown to you
Student Engagement
The Highly Engaged
ClassroomO Robert MarzanoO Debra Pickering
Cognitively Complex TasksIncrease Student Engagement
O “When students are challenged to use the information they have learned to solve problems, make decisions, conduct investigations, and create hypothesis regarding real-world issues, they are much more likely to see what they are learning as important” (p 14).
Service Learning
Interdisciplinary Approaches to Service Learning at Local and Global Levels
O Building the Community Park (Local)
O The Water Challenge Campaign (Global)
Enrichment beyond the classroom
O “I was only a few years into teaching, but I had stumbled onto a mission: to keep one eye on the future of my students, and find every possible resource that would help bridge the gap between where they were and where they wanted to be.”
O Turner, Robin. (2008) Greater Expectations. New York: Stenhouse.
Enrichment Outside the Classroom Walls for Teachers and Students Alike
O Annie Flurry, Shawnee Mission WestO AP Language & CompositionO Writer’s Workshop
The Best Profession in the World
OTaylor Mali’s “What Teachers
Make”Ohttp://youtu.be/RGKm201n-
U4OWe must ask ourselves, HOW can we make a
difference?
The Beginnings of an Idea: Traditional and Non-Traditional
Student Publication
O“Out of Hand” Literary Magazine (a SMW publication)
O“Young Kansas Writers” (a KATE publication)
It all began with a piece of chalk…Writer’s Walk
Click icon to add picture
A celebration of writing during the fall semester to which all English classes are invited.
Poet’s Corner, The Walk Itself,
Burning Secrets, Robert Frosty Tavern, Open Mic, Pumpkin
Quotes Patch, Sports Writing Football Toss, and the finale...Spoken word
performances at the Poet-tree!
Click icon to add picture
http://vimeo.com
/90551778O After studying simple
rhyme from Dr. Seuss books, this student
wrote an apology to Dr. Seuss at Writer’s Walk
It all began with some coffee and a poem…
Beatnik Café
During the Spring semester, we invite all
English 11 and 12 classes to the Little Theater for
some coffee, cookies and performance pieces!
(We invite the older levels in order to manage space and due to the maturity of
the pieces).
http://vimeo.com/90551783
OLouder Than A Bomb 2014
O2nd Place Kansas City Metro
http://vimeo.com/90707376Louder Than A Bomb Finals!
Gem Theater, in the
historical Jazz District in Kansas City.
Sold out crowd… one amazing night to end an
amazing season of creative student publication!
Professional Growth Outside the Classroom
O Get involved in professional organizationsO KATE, NCTE, Heartland Committee,
etc.O Present at Conferences! Include
students when you can.O Chair committees and get involved,
but also find your passion and cultivate that as well.
O Find your balance. It’s the key to a lifetime of working in the greatest profession ever.
Reflect & ConnectO Your opportunities
O Questions