We choose the place we live for a reason. It could be the school district. Perhaps it's the beautiful outdoors space, or maybe because the cost of living is low. Whatever it may be, you CHOSE to live there. Begin to appreciate where you live. Look around you and admire your neighbors, the small and large businesses, and all the nonprofits that exist. As educators and even students, we are focused on ourselves and our lives. I don't think we pause enough to appreciate everything and everyone around us.
We need to stop, look around, and really get to know our community and what we can do to make it thrive. Community service is a great opportunity to become more engaged in your community. However, that can just be the beginning. Bring that community service into the classroom, and now you have more than just one volunteer. You have several. But getting to know your community is not all about the student. It's about the instructor, the educator, as well. As an educator, you have the opportunity to create relationships with these nonprofits and try to understand their purpose and their mission. Your continuing knowledge will help guide students to certain service learning projects. This may even cause you to volunteer more and be a good example for your colleagues. Most of all, you'll begin to appreciate more all these vital nonprofit organizations that are helping so many people have a better life.
We need to stop, look around, and really get to know our community and what we can do to make it thrive. Community service is a great opportunity to become more engaged in your community. However, that can just be the beginning. Bring that community service into the classroom, and now you have more than just one volunteer. You have several. But getting to know your community is not all about the student. It's about the instructor, the educator, as well. As an educator, you have the opportunity to create relationships with these nonprofits and try to understand their purpose and their mission. Your continuing knowledge will help guide students to certain service learning projects. This may even cause you to volunteer more and be a good example for your colleagues. Most of all, you'll begin to appreciate more all these vital nonprofit organizations that are helping so many people have a better life.