Post a summary about your community service project.
Include:
- What you did
- Why you chose this particular project
- What you gained from the experience
- How it relates to you as a teacher
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22 comments:
- What you gained from the experience
- How it relates to you as a teacher
Erin and I volunteered at the Portland Children's Museum. Because it was a holiday, they were having a special Mad Science day with magic shows, workshops, and an exhibit room. We volunteered in the exhibit room, which involved exploring the five senses. We helped set up the exhibits, guide children through the room, and adapt to being in the dark when the power went out.
I chose this project because it worked well with my work schedule, since it was on a day we were closed. I've also been interested in visiting the Children's Museum and never had the opportunity before.
I learned a lot from this experience. First, the Children's Museum is a TERRIFIC place to volunteer!! The communication was great. They were super appreciative, thanked us, made sure we got to go see the magic show, and gave us discounts on food and merchandise. I'd love to volunteer here again. I was not too impressed with the planning for the exhibit we were helping run. It showed me the importance of really planning ahead and organizing materials, displays, etc as well as communicating well with one another.
As a teacher, it was really interesting for me to see all these kids of various ages here for fun on a windy, rainy day. It was a very different setting than a classroom, but a lot of learning was taking place. Most of the kids were really excited to be there and very enthusiastic about all the parts of the museum. I liked seeing this different form of learning and getting to spend time with so many different children. There were really all ages and ability levels, including some adults with developmental disabilities. It was definitely a different facet of education.
Sara,
It sounds like you and Erin had a wonderful and adventurous experience at the children's museum. The children got to exercise their other senses, when the power went out. You guys clearly learned a lot about teaching and the types of adjustments that may be necessary when teaching. I'm sure the children enjoyed learning in a setting that was not typical of a classroom. Thank you for sharing your experience with us, I want to go visit the children's museum now you've made it sound so fun!
This is a great place to share. I'm taking my grand kids up the this Museum as a result of your terrific review. Barry
I volunteered at Operation School Bell (along with Anne). Operation School Bell serves children in low-income families at all the schools in Salem-Keizer school district. School counselors select students who need clothing, with the help of a parent they measure the child and find the student's needs. Operation school bell provides a hygiene kit, 5 pairs of socks and underwear, 2 shirts, 2 pairs of pants, shoes and a coat or sweatshirt. Anne and I were able to fill these orders. We had to select the correct size and style (according to student wants and dress codes for the schools). We also put together the hygiene kits and helped file some paperwork.
Anne was already connected with the program, but had never got to participate in this aspect. When she told me about the program, I knew this was touching many children throughout our community.
Before this project, I didn't realize how many needy families we had in our school district. I had the chance to think about how children are affected by not having their needs met.
This directly relates to me being a teacher. Children who come to school in clothes that are too small or have holes in them are going to picked on. Giving the clothing may prevent some of this and boost their self-esteem. Some kids may not be warm enough. Giving them long sleeve shirts, pants and a warm coat for the winter will help them stay focused during school.
This was a great experience and I look forward to helping again!
A couple of weeks ago I found out about a holiday food basket project and thought it would be a great opportunity to help those who are are having a hard time making ends meet. Personally, I hit a few road bumps when my own children were young, so I can relate to what some of these people are going through.
My daughter and I got up at 5:30 on Christmas Eve morning and went to the middle school (where I happen to work) and started in on sorting cans of food that had been donated from schools in our district. When that was done, we then were given a food box request paper that had the number of individuals in the family and their ages. We took a grocery cart around the gym and volunteers loaded us with food; everything from frozen turkeys and green beans to fresh fruit and milk--there was a huge assortment of food and it was wonderful! We then unpacked it onto tables, repacked it neatly into boxes and loaded the boxes onto pick-up trucks. We made our rounds filling carts for families that sometimes consisted of two, to some that consisted of eight. All in all, over two hundred families requested food boxes and every one of them had their request fulfilled.
This experience was a great lesson on humanity and caring for others. The sheer amount of food that was donated was phenomenal, and coupled with the amount of people giving up their Christmas Eve morning to help was amazing as well. The good that came from all of the effort that went into this project was definitely heart-warming and one cannot help but be thankful for being on the giving end of such a project.
As for how this relates to teaching--this project was a way to connect with the community from a perspective that definitely impacts learning. Knowing that so many students are in less than desirable situations at home helps me to be more understanding and considerate at school.
This experience was wonderful in so many ways that we plan on doing it every Christmas Eve!
Cindy,
It sounds like a wonderful experience for you and your daughter and what a cool Christmas Eve tradition! Meeting one of our most basic needs, food, is so important and directly impacts students' abilities to focus and learn. Thanks for participating in this endeavor and I am so glad you and your daughter want to continue doing this in future years.
I chose to chair a diversity sub-committee for a non-profit childcare center, Northeast Community Child Development Center, NCCDC, www.pdxchild.org. I am the Chair Elect for the board and volunteered to chair the diversity sub-committee, this is an ongoing position and has not yet ended. As a sub-committee we have met two times and done work on our various tasks between the meetings. I chose this project because this childcare center is important and tackling the topic of diversity is admirable and difficult. So far we have conducted lit reviews, facility comparisons, and policy research. We are now beginning to devise a survey to ask the membership (all the families who have children at the center) what diversity means to them, what they want out of a diversity policy, etc. Our hopes on the sub-committee are to devise a diversity policy for the center (one that will need to be approved by the membership) and then have outcomes attached to that policy, such as a curriculum that is influenced by the diversity policy.
I am learning a lot from this experience; I am learning that there is no set definition of diversity and means a lot of different things to a lot of different people. I have also learned that many schools/childcare facilities draft a diversity policy because they think they should, but it is rare to find a policy that then drives or influences school practices or curriculum.
As a teacher this has made me think about what diversity means to me (still working on this) and how my own curriculum development is driven by my understanding of diversity. It makes me realize that policy is easy to create and often done to be "PC" but substance is what is important. I am thankful for this opportunity to reflect and work on what diversity means to me, but to also to reflect on how this evolving understanding will drive curriculum and classroom culture in my own classrooms.
Jessica and I volunteered for the Assistance League of Salem which is a non-profit organization serving children and families of Salem-Keizer schools. The particular project we worked on was Operation School Bell which provides clothing (at no cost) to students of low-income families who otherwise may go without.
Being a member of this organization's auxiliary chapter I have always wanted to work on this project as it has such a great impact on kids in our area. I brought it up with Jessica who agreed it would be a good one. The two of us processed requests from across the school district. Students were provided with several sets of underwear and socks, two shirts, two pair of pants/jeans, sweats, PE clothing, a warm winter coat and a certificate for a pair of shoes as well as hygiene items (shampoo, bush, comb, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, and deodorant).
As Jessica said earlier, counselors submit requests to the Assistance League for filling. I quickly realized how great a service to the community Operation School Bell is. There are so many kids in our community who go without. I was touched by sheer number of kids who were helped – young kids all the way through high schoolers.
As a future teacher, this project reminded me that there are many ways to help children in the classroom. By providing for students' basic clothing needs, kids can have one less worry and can focus on the fun of learning and can just be kids.
This was a fun project and I enjoyed working with Jessica. I hope to be able to continue this worthwhile endeavor.
Wow!
After posting my comment I went back and read through everyone's postings more closely. What a diversity of volunteer experiences. So many different ways to influence and make a difference in the lives of people in our very own communities.
Isn't this what it's all about? Helping others while helping ourselves... it's a win-win situation!
I volunteered in a DLC classroom @ McKay High. I chose to do so because it presented me w/ personal as well as teaching challenges. I knew upon entering the classroom that I had no form into which I could fit these kids, myself, nor this experience. There was no educational philosophy or theory I knew to apply. I recognized my limitations immediately. These students would know if I was sincere or not, I could not pretend to know what I was doing.
The challenge for me was to walk through the fear of not knowing, facing myself in relation to an unknown other, and opening my heart/mind to any possibilities.
The students ranged in abilities from those who could not/would not speak, to a few who wear diapers, to kids who were learning life skills and participating in regular/remedial reading and math classes, and a young lady who dances but cannot speak or hear. She and I hung out in her dance class 2-3 days a week. There are several kids with whom I attended elective classes outside the DLC.
When I got out of my own way it was all about them, I lost mySelf in their processes. Each person has his/her way of doing things, and it is up to them to allow one to assist.
The experiences I've had inform me of the kind of teacher I am in the process of becoming and want to be, the teacher which must already exist in me, and I want to get to know her.
In reading through the comments people have left, I'm realizing that there are so many opportunities to help with basic needs---clothing, food, shelter, etc. I'm finding that I am really interested in pursuing more of these opportunities. It is very informative and educational to me to hear what kinds of services are out there in looking for ways to help. I am also realizing that meeting the basic needs of food, clothing, and shelter is to me a really vital area to address---I think that students can and do overcome so much in their lives, but it's really hard to overcome being malnourished, unclean, cold, etc on a daily basis. Thanks to everyone for sharing your experiences and giving me new ideas to consider.
I would also like to point out that Anne has volunteered on several occasions for us as students by setting up phone rosters for our guide group and setting up this blog, which I really appreciate. Thanks, Anne! :-)
I volunteered with Sara at the Portland Children's Museum. This was a good choice for me because it is somewhere I love to go with my daughter and their need was compatible with my schedule.
Although the Children's Museum is usually closed on Monday's it opens for Portland Public School holidays so students have something fun to do. It was interesting because there were also some very young volunteers there without their parents. One boy, I would guess was about 11 years old, was dropped off in the morning and said his Mom would pick him up about 1pm. This seems to provide a great service for both the parent and the museum assuming the children are helpful. Our assignment was to help with a guest exhibit exploring the senses. This was a little disorganized and not a favorite for the kids. After the power went out most kids (and parents) went to exhibits and areas they were more familiar with.
This experience (and the museum itself) showed me the variety of ways that learning can occur. It also showed the importance of having fun interactive activities that allow for some independence. One of the things that seemed to keep some kids away from our exhibit was they would look in and didn’t know exactly what was in our room. I was surprised not only by the diversity of the kids at the museum, but also by the diversity of the parents. There were parents that were fun and engaging with their kids, parents that pointed out the deficits of the exhibits, parents who participated instead of their kids, and parents that appeared oblivious to where their kids were and what they were doing. This experience gives me more perspective as a teacher in creating a classroom that is organized, fun, and interactive. In reading others volunteer experiences and also thinking about my own I am also reminded of the importance of remembering that we all have significant life experiences that may not be apparent on the outside but that do shape the way we think and interact with others and our environment.
The day before Christmas Eve I volunteered at the Mission Mill Museum's annual holiday fundraiser event: "Magic at the Mill." I managed to convince my sister, mom, dad, aunt, uncle, and even my grandmother to accompany me also as volunteers. (I used the explanation that we should all volunteer more, especially around the holidays, to give back to our communities. I failed to mention that this was also for a school assignment). Our task was in leading the children's activity of drawing silhouettes. We all had a great time entertaining the children and each other, trying to get them to stay still as we hurridly traced their profiles against the black paper. Each one of us had a great time and left with high spirits. It was a perfect family event for the holiday season.
I chose this project because it was recommended to me by Korine as one that is "a lot of fun." It seemed like a perfect thing to do all together as a family, and it also helped me to learn a bit more about Salem's history. I was able to experience what the museum had to offer and also spend quality time with my family. We had fun with the families and kids we worked with on the art projects, and also had fun with each other.
It was great for me to see my dad working with the little kids. I think at the end of the event everyone was even more excited about the fact that I am expecting a baby soon because we saw so many adorable babies. I definitely lead the gang by taking charge, letting out my "inner teacher." My mom commented to me at the end of the evening how good I was at working with children. It was fun for my family to see me in action at something that comes so naturally to me. Overall- it was a huge success and I hope to make it our new family tradition.
I had a hard time finding my volunteer opportunities. I started by tutoring in the mornings for students who had to attend mandatory tutoring at a local middle school because of one or more failing grades. I chose this because I have a real interest in working with students who struggle with school. Being as these students were mandated to be there, I was met with some other challenges besides just the middle school attitude. I tutored a variety of subjects, and the students through my few sessions spent there started to warm up to me. This relates to me as a teacher as it makes me more aware of what is happening with the students who are sometiems forgotten in a school, or that are given up on. I built relationships with a few of these students that helped them start their day off with a positive note.
Unfortunately, the tutoring program ended shortly after I started going in, and I had not fulfilled my hours yet, so I took on another opportunity with my husband's military unit, which was similar to another student. I worked with the Family Readiness Group to help make ends meet for a few families that have parents/spouses deployed to Iraq. I chose this opportunity because many soldiers take pay cuts when they are deployed to Iraq, and it takes a large toll on the families left behind. This affected me as a teacher because some of the food boxes we delivered were delivered to families with students in the school that I currently work at. The students in both experiences were almost shocked to see me doing the things that I did, and it has really helped the relationships with the students and knowing them knowing that I respect them and am wanting to understand more about them and their backgrounds and experiences is what makes me really want to be a teacher.
Kelsey, it sounds like you guys had a lot of fun and you helped do some good at the same time, what could be better? I was just curious, what did they raise money for? I think it is so cool that your entire family went along with you (what a great idea!)
I spent a few of my volunteer hours in a grocery store trying to sign people up for escrip to help support my daughter's school. I spent the rest of my hours with my oldest daughter putting together food boxes and school supply care packages for those families on the coast affected by last month's wind storms and flooding.
I choose these activities for two reasons. The first was that these activities fit into my schedule. The second reason has more to do with me as a mother than it does as a teacher. This was an opportunity for my daughter and I to spend some time together doing something for people in need.
I gained several things from this experience. I learned an easy way to raise money for my future classrooms through escrip. I also was able to spend some quality time with my daughter, and use it as an opportunity for her to learn what it means to give back. Surprisingly, one thing that I didn't realize it would help with was her self-esteam. She wants to do something similar next year with the whole family.
For my volunteer project I collected food for Thanksgiving boxes for the Head Start I work for. These children are low income and often do not have healthy food on regular days let alone on holidays. I began my project by first sending out an e-mail to family and friends for food or cash donations. Then I made flyers (about 50) and put them on all the doors in my neighborhood. People could drop food or cash donations off at my house or call and I picked it up. I received enough donations to make 7 food boxes with food and a gift certificate for a "thankgiving meal" from Shop and Kart.
This profect made me feel closer to the kids at my school and made me realize how hard it is to get donations. I have to say I often "forget" to donate or just let it pass. While waiting patiently for others to donate it made me think, did people forget, did they procrastinate too long. Is it just one more thing to do during their busy days? I got more donations from family and friends then I did from people in my community. It surprised me, I thought people would jump on the opportunity to help.
This project also made me look at the parents point of view and see how hard it is to get food some times when you can't afford it and how important programs like this are! It made me want to volunteer more and donate more!
As a teacher I think it's important to be able to stand in the schools of your students and see the hardships they face. Trying to get donations was tough so trying to find inexpensive or free resources is also tough. As a teacher I can now see how stressful it can be on a family and how it can effect children and their school work.
So many of you did some really fun sounding work! Erin the Children's Museum sounds like a lot of fun. I be it was exciting when the power went out! I'm sure some kids were scared and others probably thought it was so cool!
Jessica and Anne, Opperations School Bell sounds like a very importantn program. It would be nice to have these programs in all schools! I know that my kids at Head Start could really use new clothes. Sometimes they come to school in clothes they have grown out of because the families can't afford new ones.
Cindy, it sounds like we had very similar experiences. Makes you really understand the need for food in many of our communities.
Kelsey, what a great idea to include your family. My mom helped me with my food boxes but you got your whole family into it! What a great bonding experience. As a teacher it's nice for kids to see you doing things with your family just as it's important to do things with their families! Family is so important and to do things as a family to help others is even better!
Sounds like we all had some really great experiences.
Megan and I ended up volunteering in two places: the Old Mill, putting up Christmas decorations, and at Otter Rock Beach picking up trash.
I picked something that would make me feel like I'm contributing to the cleaning up of our beaches/coastal environment. Also, something that was close to home that would still benefit society during the holidays.
I learned exactly how cold and stormy it could be in Oregon as the rain was coming down hard on these two days. Other than that I was surprisingly fulfilled after doing something just to help out.
Ironically, the only other volunteers at the Old Mill were students so I believe it was a good example for those students to see teachers giving their time. Lastly, this activity has caused me to want to include some volunteer hours into my curriculum for students because the community could always benefit from more helping hands.
Ian and I volunteered at Otter Rock Beach to help clean up the coast. Also, we spent a day at the Old Mill in Salem decorating the grounds for their annual festival of lights.
We chose two different projects to vary our experiences. I love the holiday season, so it was rewarding for me to be part of a local community tradition at the Old Mill. Further, as a surfer and all around ocean lover, being part of a beach clean up was necessary and beneficial to all.
I had two great experiences, and learned that I will continue to volunteer in the future. For me, part of being a responsible citizen means having a hand in community development and preservation of our world.
Volunteering relates to me as a teacher because it’s part of life long learning. Teachers are role models, and sharing these experiences with our students will hopefully demonstrate these ideals.
Kelsey,
I am so glad that you and your family had fun at magic at the mill, maybe next year I will see you there.
Jessica,
The mission mill museum foundation raises money to restore the several buildings on its property and to aquire new exhibits. Most of the buildings are 100+ years old including the mill itself, and need alot of work to keep them safe enough for people keep visiting. I hope this answers your question.
Great experiences, guys! Everyone had some interesting stories to tell. Kelsey, looks like we were both at the Mill. It was nice to read that the kids you worked with had fun! Sounds like we all learned something from our volunteering time which is wonderful.
I'm glad to see the wide range of experiences this assignment provided for us all. It looks like we all took away a bit more understanding for the importance/ necessity of volunteer work. It has given a feeling pride for myself and for all of you the Aspire 09' class. We done good.
I volunteer for MethBusters of Stayton. We meet 1-2 Tuesdays per month. One of the things we are currently working on is a presentation for the area high schools on Meth. It will be an informational presentation with actual video that we have taken, powerpoint and also a play. The material that has been put into the video so far is very intense and shocking so far. I am more of the technical person helping to pull it all together on the computer and in PowerPoint. I also write informational material for our local newspaper to try and get more volunteers from our community. I thought this would be really easy work, but it is emotionally draining. I talk to so many young people who have had their lives ripped apart by this horrible drug and are struggling to stay clean. My heart breaks for them constantly and I wish there was more that I could do. In the near future I will be building a website for MethBusters - we are currently getting together the kind of information we want on the site.
Everybody has done such amazing things in the community. Cindy - I was especially touched by you and your daughters work on Christmas Eve and was wondering if I could get more information from you on this. I would love to start doing that with my daughter. I think it would be a wonderful experience to share with her. What school was this at and how do I sign up next year?
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