Monday, June 11, 2007
Post-service reflection
After our visit on June 28, please provide some follow-up reflection here about your experience (by July 15): How did you feel the experience went? How did your experience compare with your pre-service reflection? What surprised you about our visit? How might you take some of what you experienced and/or what we talked about in class into your classroom in the fall? Perhaps, more importantly, how can you take this information into your future role as an administrator?
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12 comments:
I have a very funky feeling. I, at times, will not even listen to the news or read the papers because I just can't stand what I hear or see. Then I think, I can't shut myself off. I must help. I realize if I want to help I can't hide my head in the sand. I just want to "fix" everything I see. I know I hide because I feel helpless, but if everyone did this, nothing would get done. I know that funky feeling I got on my way home was guilt. I a so very blessed but find much for which to complain. That's just messed up! What can I do to help more?
I understand what you're saying Shawn, but you have to realize one of your blessings is being able to help others. If you keep that in mind then every effort is worthwhile no matter how often you help or how many people benefit.
I had expected more people to be there. What are the regulations as to who can stay and how long? I also thought there would be more 'work' involved...that was a piece of cake. If more people knew it was that easy perhaps more people would help.
I was hoping to find a way to incorporate my elementary students but obviously they wouldn't be able to cook/serve the hot stuff. Are there regulations as to how old the servers have to be? Or how long the clients can stay in the dining room? My kids could certainly hand out desserts/drinks/salad/fruit. Maybe they could do some arts/crafts before or after dinner?
Here's the oddest question...are there any similar shelters near Anchorage East?
Anybody else have thoughts on how I can get little people (and their parents) involved?
I have been wrestling with how to involve younger students with service also, Maryann. I known a few who help their parents prepare gift baskets/boxes at Christmas time. But there again they're not face to face with those in true need, the poor.
I left last night not knowing what I expected before, during, or after the experience. I did see they are no different than you or me. I know by the grace of God, I've been blessed wiht family and friends who have helprd me in time of need.
I've tried to help an abused mom this past year. She won't leave her husband because she says she no where to go and her family can't won't help. She's been to a shelter for a week then went back home. I guess what I see after last night, there is a scarry feeling of how do I get out of here and for this mom it was back to the abuser.
When I reflect on the shelter, I was supprised to see someone with a cell phone. THat caught me off guard. I aslo tried to chat with one lady who said she cool in the AC. I noticed I thought more about what I'd say than I normally would. I didn't want to say anything offensive,
THe experience has given me quite a lot to think about. I like some of the rest of us have help the need through the church, Helping Hand, and other charitable organizations. But usually I give donations and do not directly see the poor or those in need.
I believe that we need to do our part no matter how small. Every stone thrown into the water creates a thousand ripples.
I have always believed in the idea that one person can make a difference, and we have to start small to make a big change. Those abstractions are easier to accept as abstractions than the realities of people and families who are homeless. When faced with the realities, I have to admit that I feel a little overwhelmed. Sometimes, I feel like I can't do enough just to support my own family, so how can I make a real difference for others? As I see those written words they look like a justification for inaction, but they are honest.
I'm not sure what I expected the families to look like, but they surprised me a little. First, they were a lot bigger than I expected. There were also more fathers than I thought there would be. On my way home it occured to me that I wanted them to be very different from my idea of what a family is, and they weren't. I wanted to see abandoned mothers and children, or victims of some sort. What I saw was people who were more "normal" than I thought they would be. It scared me a little to think that homelessness happens to fairly normal people. I realize there was probably a lot of background for the people there that might fit what I expected, but the normality surprised me a little.
I think I already try to bring compassion and understanding to my classroom, but I hope that it is now better informed. I think of myself as open minded and not discriminatory, but I definitely had some bias going to the shelter. I wanted to see people dramaticly different from me, but that was not what I saw. In the abstract I understand that many of the people there the other night were very different from me. Mostly, I have been much more fortunate than they are, but they sure looked and acted just like what I consider "normal". I'm probably overstating it, but that is what made the biggest impression on me.
I didn't realize we were going to a center for families. My mental image of a shelter is one where individuals who are down on their luck come to as a way to get shelter and a hot meal. I didn't get a full tour of the facility, but from what I did see, it seemed to be more of a full service center for families to get the multi-faceted support they need to make it on their own. I noticed some of the people talking about how they or their husband/boyfriend just got a new job and they were very excited. I also noticed several comments on "what did we do to deserve homemade cooking?" or "why are you all here helping?" so that leads me to believe that there aren't a whole lot of groups that come in to help. I am glad that we were able to help out all of those families and maybe brighten their day just a little. I hope that we left as positive an impact on those that we served as they left on me and I imagine on everyone else that was a part of our group. I only wish that I could do this more frequently...I guess it is just something that I would have to make a priority in my schedule. Enjoy your week off see you next week!
After the experience, I spent some time thinking about the dinner we served. I orginally thought that it would be for people just off the streets and mostly would be just adults but I was wrong. I was really suprised to see that entire families were at the center. I felt really bad for them but I also noted that the families seemed to be very close. All the children were well behaved and willing to help each other which I thought was really nice. Everybody was so happy and that was eye opening to me. At work I do community service projects with my Beta Club students but I would like to have a service project set-up over a period of time instead of just doing one time deals with different organizations.
After the experience, I spent some time thinking about the dinner we served. I orginally thought that it would be for people just off the streets and mostly would be just adults but I was wrong. I was really suprised to see that entire families were at the center. I felt really bad for them but I also noted that the families seemed to be very close. All the children were well behaved and willing to help each other which I thought was really nice. Everybody was so happy and that was eye opening to me. At work I do community service projects with my Beta Club students but I would like to have a service project set-up over a period of time instead of just doing one time deals with different organizations.
Hey Guys, It was truly great to see everyone back looking so rested and refreshed this morning. I had a great week off and I hope you did too. On to business. I have truly enjoyed reading all of your responses. I do not have a lot to add, simply to acknowledge some of the same feelings that you guys had. Actually I have had SOME experience dealing with homeless families through my church ministries. The church that I attend is not far from the shelter. Actually it is even closer to where the former Clarksdale housing projects were. It has been both positive and negative during my teaching experience. Many of my students come from that area of town or they used to before the projects were torn down. That was always a positive aspect at school because I was often in the community working and would run into my kids throughout the year. In many ways it helped build my relationship with them. There is something special about interacting with kids on their 'turf'. I think it brought a humaness to our relationship.
The negative side of the issue was that it absolutely breaks your heart to know some of the experiences that the kids come out of. As some of you know I served one of my students at the shelter. It was not the first time that I have run into students in those kinds of situtations. He was very animated and friendly more so than he ever was with me at school. So that was a good thing. I was worried at first and waited for him to initiate the hello's. I am often more self conscious because I do not always know how the kids will react or feel about me knowing what their living conditions are. Then I have your problem Shawn in that I want to change everything and save everyone and it is just not possible.
I totally agree with you Jodie. It was a breeze and the most fulfilling part of this program as far as I am concerned. Unfortunately I need to make a conscious effort to do more. Too often unless it is a "group" activity helping others in those situations fail to make it to my calendar of things to do.
The saddest thing is that these folks are so invisible to all of us. That was a small fraction of the folks (and yes families and kids) that are on the streets each night with no where to go. I have been under the bridges and overpasses at night.
My students typically do some service projects each year. I will make sure we do one or more for the family shelters this year and make a connection with Dr. Renner's Jamaica classroom through some type of school supply for letters exchange. I know this sounds cliche but every year our kids appear to be losing the sensibilities concerning the humaness of people. I experienced for the first time last year my AP students actually laughing about the pitiful number of BETA service hours they had performed. In past years the AP kids have always been the leaders and ready to aide others. Last year's group was the most "all about me" bunch that I have ever taught. As educators we often complain about the many things beyond the curriculum that we are now being required to teach young people. I think that if we miss the opportunity to teach them common kindness, the human link and connection that we all share and our responsibilities to each other, we will miss a great opportunity. I have met the parents and I don't think they are teaching it. As a 'possible' future administrator I believe that every school auxiliary should be required to do a formal service project each year. I know that administrators cannot require teachers to do those kinds of extra activities but if the administrator leads who knows who might follow. Let's not stop there. We can lead by example. Individually we forget. Maybe if we commit as a group to get together twice a year to serve someone other than ourselves we will remember to do it. I am game. Let me know if anyone is interested.
And yes Maryann we are too blessed to be stressed about ANYTHING! Can you imagine feeling special just because some people that you don't know served you some pre-made, pre-packaged, store bought food (well all except for Jodie's Award winning Green Beans)? I really hope that we can do some great things individually at our schools and collectively as a cohort. Despite the hard work it has been a wonderful experience and I truly feel that I have made some life-long friends. Keep it real and stay in touch. Angela
http://www.google.com/accounts/RP?c=7787582716943211263&hl=eny
Our experience at the shelter was a very enlightening one for me. I was very happy to be able to serve the families their dinner. They were all so appreciative. I was impressed with the Volunteers of America shelter. I am so glad there are such places for these families to go. I think we helped make a difference for at least one evening. It was a small step but it was a step. As an administrator someday we can remember that some of our students may be in a homeless situation, we can draw on this experience to help us understand them and do what we can to help them.
I am so glad that we did this project. I hope we brought some happiness to the families with our small token of serving a meal to them.
It really hit me when a student of Angela's came into the shelter. I have never taught a homeless student and I never really thought about how that changes my mission as a teacher. I was so impressed by the way she tried to make the student and his mother feel comfortable with her being there. I know that I teach in a priviledged setting compared to some in the public schools but I agree with Dr. Renner's comment in class that as teachers of this clientel what an opportunity to speak to the people who will eventually have the power to change these situations. I try to let that be my guide. In the past year I have really stuggled with "am I really making all the difference I can in a private school?" "can I do more with a population who needs it more?" I love the Catholic Schools and the mission that I follow within it but I often question am I really following my faith by reaching those who will probably get "it" regardless and sometimes in spite of me. The experience at the shelter and especially that of seeing Angela face to face with her student there really brought these feelings to the forefront for me.
Unfortunately, I missed the experience that you all had on June 28th. However, I appreciate the thoughts and comments that you have all shared in regards to your own individual experience. I hope to visit the center with Dr. Renner soon and post my post service reflection.
Friends,
I really enjoyed the experience with you all both in class and at VOA. I appreciate your comments here and shared many of the same impressions the first time I hooked up with VOA on a service experience. Now, it has turned into a 5+ year partnership. Your reflections more than meet my objectives for what could/was to be expected in a 3-day drive thru experience on social difference and social justice. I hope that you will continue to think about the place of this experience in your life, as well as the place for service learning and social justice work in your classroom. Good luck in whatever comes next for you and please stay in touch. I would love to hear what's going on. And, if you ever need some help with service projects, let me know.
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