A Little Bit of Time Can Go a Long Way....
I absolutely love it when students reach out to me with questions, ideas, or invitations to events or learning opportunities. Whether it be a journalism student writing an article about inclement weather and snow make-up days or a middle school group of students practicing presentations for legislative advocacy, I treasure moments in which I can engage with students and their learning. What is even more of a bucket filler is their gratitude after these moments. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't miss having my own classroom (my last teaching position was 15 years ago), so I always feel like moments with students is almost selfish...their questions, discoveries, and suggestions pronounce our purpose, which fills me with joy. So, when they send beautiful notes of gratitude, I can't help but think a little bit of my time went a long way--for both the student and for me. 'Tis the theme of this blog...please know a little bit of time can make a big difference in students' lives.
Kenwood Leadership Academy has a group of volunteers who periodically meet with students over the lunch hour--Leaders Who Lunch--it is sponsored by F&M Bank, Women Lead Change, and The Early Bird Cafe. Women leaders from our community meet 1:1 with students over lunch. One of the community members, Amy Reasner with Lynch Dallas, recently reached out to me to share her experience: "I just wanted to let you know that I participated in this program with your Kenwood Academy students today! It was a lovely event and I enjoyed getting to know my 4th grade student who had her own mission statement, loves tarantulas and explained to me that she is living by the 7 habits for happiness. I came away with the understanding that I should be like [this student] and adopt those habits, even at age 48!"
Additionally, McKinley STEAM Academy participated in an opportunity hosted by the Advanced Manufacturing Sector Board last week. The Explore Manufacturing hands-on project offered a collaborative opportunity with middle school students, New Leader Manufacturing, and the Kirkwood AutoCad students to demonstrate the most recent advancements with design laser cutting and other technological advancements in the manufacturing field. As stated by Barb Rawson, Program Developer at Kirkwood Community College, "One of the favorite parts of my job is seeing impact on the learner! ...I loved witnessing the shared classroom between college students and middle schools students filled with collaboration and shared learning opportunities."
Whether it be 10 minutes, 30 minutes, or perhaps an hour of your time, please know that a little bit of time with a student can go a long way. You may have no idea how those moments may impact a student down the road. What you will probably feel is the immediate impact it has on you as an adult. Please know that we welcome volunteerism and community engagement with our students. And, in this season of THANKS, we are grateful for our volunteers and our community in supporting our schools and amazing students!
If you are interested in more information about volunteering in our schools, please contact your neighborhood school or:
Kenwood Leadership Academy has a group of volunteers who periodically meet with students over the lunch hour--Leaders Who Lunch--it is sponsored by F&M Bank, Women Lead Change, and The Early Bird Cafe. Women leaders from our community meet 1:1 with students over lunch. One of the community members, Amy Reasner with Lynch Dallas, recently reached out to me to share her experience: "I just wanted to let you know that I participated in this program with your Kenwood Academy students today! It was a lovely event and I enjoyed getting to know my 4th grade student who had her own mission statement, loves tarantulas and explained to me that she is living by the 7 habits for happiness. I came away with the understanding that I should be like [this student] and adopt those habits, even at age 48!"
Additionally, McKinley STEAM Academy participated in an opportunity hosted by the Advanced Manufacturing Sector Board last week. The Explore Manufacturing hands-on project offered a collaborative opportunity with middle school students, New Leader Manufacturing, and the Kirkwood AutoCad students to demonstrate the most recent advancements with design laser cutting and other technological advancements in the manufacturing field. As stated by Barb Rawson, Program Developer at Kirkwood Community College, "One of the favorite parts of my job is seeing impact on the learner! ...I loved witnessing the shared classroom between college students and middle schools students filled with collaboration and shared learning opportunities."
Whether it be 10 minutes, 30 minutes, or perhaps an hour of your time, please know that a little bit of time with a student can go a long way. You may have no idea how those moments may impact a student down the road. What you will probably feel is the immediate impact it has on you as an adult. Please know that we welcome volunteerism and community engagement with our students. And, in this season of THANKS, we are grateful for our volunteers and our community in supporting our schools and amazing students!
If you are interested in more information about volunteering in our schools, please contact your neighborhood school or:
Phone: 319-558-2124
E-mail: volunteer@crschools.us
E-mail: volunteer@crschools.us
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