from the classroom to the great beyond presenters: natalie cobb, avila university annie flurry,...

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