Recipes of Engagement through AmeriCorps & Service-Learning · Recipes o f Engagement through AmeriCorps & Service - Learning Duane D. Oakes, Director Center for Service - Learning,

To Mesa Community College’s: Recipes of Engagement through AmeriCorps & Service-Learning

BEST PRACTICE INDEX

Reflection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Explaining It ! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Community Partners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Incorporating Service-Learning . . . . . . 6

Participant Recognition . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Everyone Has a Part . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Statistics & Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

10 Years

with

AmeriCorps

Mesa Community College’s

All

New

Recipes of Engagement through AmeriCorps & Service-Learning

20 Years

S - L

Ingredients:

Center for

Service-Learning

YOU !

Best Practice Directions:

Actively participate

Ask questions as they arise

Take notes

Enjoy !

1.

Recipes of Engagement through AmeriCorps & Service-Learning

To prepare: Put on your thinking cap, relax, and get ready to cook!

Recipe for: Reflection in Service-Learning

To prepare: Preflection – Why did you choose to attend this workshop? What do you hope to gain from it?

Ingredient Ideas: Best Practice Directions: CLASSROOM REFLECTION TECHNIQUES (From “Reflection Activities for the College Classroom” compiled by Hatcher and Bringle) • Journals • Reflective Essays • Directed Writing • Experiential Research Paper • Service-Learning Contracts and

Service Logs • E-mail Discussion Groups • Ethical Case Studies • Directed Readings • Service-Learning Portfolios • Classroom Assessment

Techniques • Personal Narrative • Class Presentations • Photo Essay • Structured Class Discussion

• Reflection is the process of deriving meaning from experience. • Reflective activity is an intentional endeavor to discover specific connections

between something we do and the consequences which result. • Reflection provides the methodology that will translate experiences into

cognitive and effective knowledge. • Reflection engages students in conscious, intentional and critical thinking for

the examination of their service experiences.

Effective Reflection: is structured, guided, and purposeful is a regularly occurring activity includes components that can be evaluated based on well-defined criteria links service objectives to course objectives by integrating the service

experience with course learning includes both private and public reflection fosters civic responsibility, an understanding of societal issues, and

appreciation of diversity

2.

Recipe for: Reflection in AmeriCorps

To prepare: Create a program which includes pre-service, in-service, and post-service reflections

Ingredients:

Best Practice Directions:

Pre-Service Reflection

In-Service Reflection

Post Service Reflection

Book: Reflections of Engagement

• Explain during Orientation

• Pre-Service Reflections are vital in order for AmeriCorps members to understand why they are signing-up in AmeriCorps. It is not merely for the educational award, but for helping their fellow man, being an essential part of their community, and being an engaged citizen.

• Throughout a member’s term of service, AmeriCorps members must partake in the growth, not only for themselves, but for the organization they are volunteering at. Monthly Time Report reflection assists members to understand their roles as change agents.

• In order for a member to see the many benefits of volunteerism, a post-reflective essay will help members to see the “bigger” picture. Our members are currently instructed to read Reflections of Engagement and write a 1-2 page reflection on their reading and their term of service.

• Website for Reflections of Engagement: http://www.mesacc.edu/academics/servicelearning/pdfs/ReflectionsofEngagement.pdf

3.

Recipe for: Explaining It! (Definition & Mission)

To prepare: Define your program on a department and institution level.

Each definition and mission will be different to fit your college and community environment.

Ingredients – Vision, Values & Mission:

Best Practice Directions – Definition at MCC: VISION MCC- leading success in our local and global

community.

VALUES

Learning- MCC champions individual student success that

reflects the highest academic standards.

Innovation- MCC delivers cutting-edge instruction and service.

Service Excellence- MCC makes a positive difference in the lives of our students, community members, and each other through

meaningful relationships.

Integrity- MCC upholds the highest standards of ethics and public stewardship.

Individuals & Community- MCC encourages active citizenship and embraces the diversity of people and ideas.

MISSION MCC excels in teaching, learning, and empowering

individuals to succeed in our local and global community. We serve as a resource for college and career readiness, transfer education, workforce development, and life-long learning.

Center for Service-Learning Mission

“We promote excellence in teaching and learning through the integration of academic study with active service. We collaborate with the community, encourage civic engagement, promote personal growth, and foster social responsibility.”

Service-Learning is a teaching and learning method that connects meaningful community service with academic learning through guided reflection. Areas of focus include:

• Critical Thinking & Problem Solving

• Values Clarification

• Career Exploration

• Social and Personal Development

• Civic and Community Responsibility

4.

Recipe for: Commmunity Partner Relationships

To prepare: Bring the classroom outside.

Ingredients:

Best Practice Directions: o Agency Database

www.mccservicelearning.org o Agency Involvement Packet o Trainings o Community Involvement Expo

• Free fair-style recruitment event • Students can find a placement

o Agency Paperwork o 200 + Partnerships with local agencies like:

– Public & Charter Schools – Fire Departments & Hospitals – Boys & Girls Clubs – City, County & State Governments

1. Complete the necessary paperwork to become an official partner with the Maricopa County Community College District

2. Attend a training for agency representatives

3. Consider your goals and motives

4. Choose a Service-Learning option

5. Plan meaningful service opportunities for our students

6. Provide an orientation, training and supervision

7. Explain and promote Service-Learning

8. Base service academically

9. Evaluate students and keep the Center for Service-Learning informed

5.

Recipe for: Incorporating Service-Learning

To prepare: Visit our website for forms and more details: www.mccservicelearning.org Ingredients – Types:

Best Practice Directions:

One Shot: Typically a one day experience Group Projects: 3-6 students work together to meet a community need or resolve an issue related to their course objectives.

In-Course Module: Students select the site and commit to approximately 15-30 service hours. Independent Module: Student can register for a one, two, or three credit hour, open entry/open exit class, based on 50 hours of service per credit hour. MCC Allies: Students adopt an agency for a year and act as a representative for its programs. Students complete an independent module class with their service. AmeriCorps: Members serve part-time terms at agencies in the community.

• Choose which one is best for you, your discipline, college and community

• Confirmation Forms

• Legal Forms

EXAMPLES:

• ART 295 – Students served approximately 10 hours helping K-12 student glaze tiles and installing the tiles in a display.

• REC 282 – Students serve for 50-150 hours leading recreational activities. This year, several students served as camp counselors for K-12 students.

• Allies- One student tutored at a local charter school. To recruit fellow students, she held a leadership camp and had MCC students lead lessons.

• AmeriCorps- Members serve various terms at approved partner agencies. Their service does not have to connect with their academic studies, but we strongly suggest that as an option.

6.

Recipe for: Incorporating Service-Learning (con’t.)

To prepare: There are several benefits to Service-Learning; find them and share them.

Ingredients: Students Faculty

Best Practice Directions: Benefits to Students

Increases relevancy of education by bringing academic instruction to life

Enhances learning of values, citizenship, and leadership skills

Provides knowledge and expertise from the community

Prepares individuals for potential internships and field experiences

Allows exploration of career options

Develops contacts within the community

Teaches workforce skills

Provides opportunities to accommodate different learning styles

Develops connections with people of diverse cultures and lifestyles

Increases a sense of self-efficacy, analytical skills, and social development

Strengthens resumes and scholarship applications by using Service-Learning as work or service experience 7.

Best Practice Directions: Benefits to Faculty

Engages students in meaningful, hands-on learning opportunities, which enhance the learning through relevant service experience

Brings the classroom and course content to life for students

Strengthens resume and curriculum vitae by adding a new dimension to instruction

Allows for faculty to mentor students

Opportunity to network with other faculty and agency partners

Opportunity to attend professional workshops and trainings related to Service-Learning

Potential college-wide awards and recognitions

Recipe for: Incorporating Service-Learning (con’t.)

To prepare: There are several benefits to Service-Learning; find them and share them. Ingredients: College Community Partners

Best Practice Directions: Benefits to College

Furthers the mission of Mesa Community College

Drives the college as an active, engaged partner in the community

Facilitates teaching, research and program development

Increases student retention

Enriches the quality and relevancy of the education provided

Increases College’s awareness of societal issues as they relate to academic areas of interest

Assists in the development of innovative approaches to instruction

Provides opportunities for collaborative community research and project development

Engages faculty and students in local community issues

Provides opportunities to extend College’s knowledge and resources

Best Practice Directions: Benefits to Community Partners

Enhances positive relationship opportunities with the college

Provides awareness-building of community issues, agencies, and constituents

Helps develop a sense of citizenship

Provides affordable access to professional development

Develops short and long term solutions to pressing community needs

Creates ways to expand current services

Provides opportunities for participating in the educational process

Enriches roles for supervisors Contributes to positive exposure in the community 8.

Recipe for: Participant Recognition

To prepare: All parties should be recognized.

Ingredients: Best Practice Directions: Use liberally!

Awards

Certificates

Pins & medals

Scholarship Opportunities

It can be big or small . . .

. . . just give it!!!

Say “Thank you” Certificates of recognition, appreciation, hours served Excellence in Service Award President’s Volunteer Service Award Neil Merril Outstanding Faculty Award AmeriCorps pins & commencement ribbons Service Scholarships $100 Difference Grants

9.

Recipe for: Everyone has a part!

To prepare: Gather your allies! Ingredients: Everyone Who Is

Best Practice Directions: Join together to make a greater impact

Involved

Service-Learning / AmeriCorps Team

Community Partners

Students

Faculty

Staff

Administration

Advisory Board

AmeriCorps Member

10.

Recipe for: Statistics & Support

To prepare: Gather, track, and document qualitative and quantitative data

Ingredients: Best Practice Directions:

Statistics

Support

Statistic Examples @ MCC:

In-Course Module: 8,900 students, approx. 190,700 hours of service (Since 2001)

Independent Module: 400 students, 31,900 hours of service (since Fall 2008)

AmeriCorps: 2,936 members, 1,019,952 hours of service (Sept. 2002 to August 2011), and nearly $ 2.2 million in education awards

11.

Share your story!

Newspaper articles

College TV Circuit

Awards

Support & Accreditation:

The Higher Learning Commission College Support Community Support Programs such as A New Leaf

Supporting Our Communities:

Criterion Five - Engagement and Service As called for by its mission, the organization identifies its constituencies and serves them in ways both value.

“The Center for Service-Learning is devoted specifically to advancing student learning through service to

and engagement in the community.” -2005 Self Study Report Executive Summary

Recipes of Engagement through AmeriCorps & Service-Learning

Duane D. Oakes, Director Center for Service-Learning, Faculty [email protected]

Monica Pirshafiey, AmeriCorps Coordinator [email protected]

Mesa Community College Center for Service-Learning

480-461-7393 www.mccservicelearning.org

www.facebook.com/mccservicelearning