With all the attention to global issues and STEM in education these days, we can't help but be mindful of the roles of awareness, inquiry, collaboration, and appreciation of diverse points of view when solving problems. These approaches require a degree of outer-directedness and empathy, which any healthy school culture seeks to promote in its student body, staff, and greater school community. Service learning encourages these same attributes as students develop awareness of and attend to the needs of others both locally and globally. Students who participate in service learning develop into ethical, responsible, and caring human beings. They learn the importance of working together to support their communities by giving their time to help others. Research demonstrates the benefits of service learning.
There have been studies associated with the ill effects of self-centeredness and isolation on the health of people of all ages. It's difficult to serve others while succumbing to the restraints of a self-centered lifestyle. True education requires that you explore your world and be mindful of those around you. In a preschool through 12th-grade setting, there are numerous ways to start small and promote the benefits of sharing resources and giving of your time as you continue through life.
To start, recognize the needs at school and throughout the local community:
- Perform random acts of kindness
- Assist the grounds crew by picking up clutter
- Organize study groups
- Tutor at a community center's after-school program
- Play board games with residents at retirement homes
- Prepare and deliver meals to shut-ins
- Volunteer to help at charity events
- Donate to various service organizations
- Run a food drive
- Participate in an all-school day of service
More globally, the opportunities are boundless:
- Research the needs of those around the world who lack access to clean water and support those agencies that are tackling the problem.
- Join a work crew through an organization which builds houses for the homeless in your city or elsewhere in the world. (See Sanford students on a service trip to Nicaragua pictured here.)
- Raise money to support organizations that respond to humanitarian crises such as the aftermath of hurricanes, earthquakes, and the devastation of war.
The list goes on and on. It's service learning, folks, and you're never too old to play a part. There is so much to discover about the world and so much joy in helping others. It's all connected. We are reminded of that each day.
Sanford School recognizes the importance of helping the community. We promote a school-wide culture that acknowledges and values the importance of service and hope our kids will choose to give their time and energy to help others because it is important to them. Throughout the year, students organize activities to help charities and organzations.
Upper School Math instructor Tom Whipple is a long-time Mathematics instructor and one of the advisors for Sanford School's Service Club. Tom received his bachelor's degree from Davidson College in Mathematics.
Donna Farrar is a retired Chemistry teacher and a former advisor of the Service Club.