From the Classroom to the Great Beyond Presenters: Natalie Cobb, Avila University Annie Flurry, Shawnee Mission School District Karen Garber-Miller, Avila University Stacy Keith, Avila University Alicia Murillo, Avila University

From the Classroom to the Great Beyond Benefits of Service Learning and Community Engagement O (Source: University of Minnesota Community and Service-Learning Center)

Benefits for Students O Increase understanding of the curricular topics O Gain hands-on experiences that lead to college/career readiness O Explore one’s own values and beliefs and have opportunities to act on these O Develop deep critical thinking and problem-solving skills O Grow understanding of diverse cultures and communities. O Learn more about social justice issues and their root causes

Benefits for Students O 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 Teachers O Encourage interactive teaching methods and reciprocal learning between students and faculty O Add new and engaging dimensions to class discussions and interactions O Attract highly motivated and engaged students to courses O Increase the energy level and excitement in classes O Decrease behavior management challenges O 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 pool O Increase public awareness of key issue O 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 Classroom O Robert Marzano O Debra Pickering

Cognitively Complex Tasks Increase 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 West O AP Language & Composition O Writer’s Workshop

The Best Profession in the World O Taylor Mali’s “What Teachers Make” O m201n-U4 m201n-U4 O We 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 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!

/ O 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).

/ O Louder Than A Bomb 2014 O 2 nd Place Kansas City Metro

om/ Louder 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 organizations O 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 & Connect O Your opportunities O Questions