“At this moment of great challenge and great change, I am asking you to play your part; to roll up your sleeves and join in the work of remaking this nation.”--President Barack Obama
We may each read this with our own “spin,” however many think that our new president exemplifies the idea that service to our country will matter. Service by everyone. Elders, adults, teens, tweens, children. Truly, he is not the first White House resident to espouse this idea. Many of us can echo President John Kennedy’s famous words: “Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.” President George H. W. Bush began the Points of Light campaign. President Bill Clinton gave a boost to youth service through AmeriCorps and Learn and Serve America. And even if President Obama’s opponent had won, Senator John McCain also represented his life as one of service to this nation and stood as an outspoken advocate for service of every variety.
As an educator/author who travels over 150 days per year to spread the idea of service learning domestically and internationally, I am thrilled. This renewed public call to service has a growing audience. Educators who already recognize the value of service learning and apply this teaching method in their classes are elated. Many more teachers are asking, “What can I do?” and “How can I get started?” Even in an atmosphere of uncertain school budgets and emphasis on test scores for accountability, service learning expands to and involves new audiences. In fact, service learning is increasingly being viewed as an answer to many deep concerns facing our education systems, including the increasing dropout rates, safer school communities, and helping students succeed in academics, social and emotional development, and life skills.
Why involve young people? Young people have skills and talents that, when well placed, can be an answer to many local and distant community needs. They are eager to learn about their world, the one in their backyards and in faraway places. And when we can harness their abundant energy, fueled by adult conviction that kids’ ideas and ingenuity has value, good work happens. Keep in mind the essential role adults must play, as role models and guides, as cheerleaders and encouragers, as teachers who open doors and minds.
"If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door."--Milton Berle, comedian
One perk of all my travel, in addition to bringing the service learning message, is meeting inspiring educators and engaged youth who have fabulous service learning stories to tell.
Carrie Morgan, at the Luke Center for Public Service at the Punahou School in Honolulu, Hawaii, President Obama’s alma mater, documents numerous service learning examples, including elementary children planting, caring for, and harvesting a garden from start to finish. After selling their produce they purchase gifts for elderly veterans, as part of their ongoing relationships of reciprocal learning.
Cabby Tennis, at the American International School of Johannesburg, proudly shows me a book created by his 6th-grade journalism students documenting their class visits to The Cradle of Humankind, and how copies have been sent to schools in 24 countries, all part of the In Our Global Village project. So much ingenuity mixed with hard creative work equals a worthwhile publication!
Sue Starkweather, at Albion Central School District, in Albion New York, has a room filled with artifacts from well-implemented service learning experiences across all grade levels, including Peace Rocks, a program designed by middle school students to replace bullying with respectful behaviors and friendships.
Kim Huseman, who takes the lead for service learning in Humble Independent School District, Humble, Texas, marvels at how Creekwood Middle School students have been studying World War One across their curriculum. Students shared their knowledge and excitement by leading a community-wide event hosting a photo exhibit about the last surviving World War One veterans, resulting in $12,000 raised toward a national memorial.
Evelyn Robinson, Service-Learning Program Specialist in Lake School District, Tavares, Florida, describes how her high school students lead youth empowerment trainings to teach leadership skills to thousands of their peers, resulting in an array of service learning experiences.
Joseph Hong, a director for Greater San Jose After School All-Stars, in San Jose, California, conveys enthusiasm for service learning with story after story of how the kids in this program are eager responders to an array of community needs. They have participated in a walkathon to raise funds for AIDS, taken part in a tent city to promote awareness of homelessness, and are forging relationships with elders, even watching President Obama’s inauguration sitting alongside their new older friends.
Whether learning about creative third graders revamping a food drive campaign in Wisconsin, or children with autism helping a wildlife rescue preserve outside St. Louis, or preschoolers in Minneapolis providing coats to other young children in Nepal, I remain in awe of the administrators, teachers, families, and ultimately the children of all ages who take these ideas and manifest such goodness.
With stories such as these, clearly service learning benefits extend to students, teachers, administrators, parents, and the larger community. Possibilities are broad, the learning potential tremendous, along with the likelihood that generations of active, creative, smart, resourceful, resilient, effective citizens will result. Perhaps this will be one of the most important lessons our students will ever learn—the transformative power of “Yes we can!”
Tell us your stories! Email your stories to Cathyrn Berger Kaye and they may appear in another article or book!
Resources
Would you like to know more? Check out Cathy's How to Take Action! Series
For More About the Groups and Stories Mentioned
The Luke Center for Public Service
Albion Central School District
Humble Independent School District
Lake County Schools
After School All-Stars
Also visit Learn and Serve America and In Our Global Village
Where in the world is Cathryn Berger Kaye?
Check out Cathy's speaking schedule.
