Thursday, April 13, 2017
Thursday, April 6, 2017
Citizenship
PowerPoint Definition: Citizenship occurs when one becomes responsibly connected to the community/society in which one resides by actively working towards change to benefit others through care, service, social responsibility, and community involvement.
My Definition: Citizenship is a sense of belonging to a community. This community could be a literal place or an intangible friend group or company. Citizenship is having a sense of invested involvement to drive the community in the way of positive social change.
So What? My experience... Here I can provide two examples both within the same organization as an observation of leadership. Within the Big Event my sophomore year, the leaders were fantastic. They ensured that all of us on committee were there for a common purpose. Not only that, but they created an atmosphere of mutual respect and friendship where we felt like we were working toward a common goal. That year I was so incredibly motivated to work toward this goal and won committee member of the year.
The following year, leadership was too results driven and not enough people driven. When leaders don't value people, they lose respect. No community is able to be built when I felt like I was on constant defense mode. What used to be a positive organization felt like a complete change of face to become a negative leadership style. As a result, I felt less motivated and disconnected from the organizations mission.
Now What? My reflection...Whenever I start working with a new team, I first try to have us all get to know one another better. When friendships form, people become accountable to each other and feel welcomed in. This belonging, or citizenship, is not only fun to create but leads to an easier team to manage. When people belong, they belong to a common purpose, and they move as a functional unit toward accomplishing a goal.
My Definition: Citizenship is a sense of belonging to a community. This community could be a literal place or an intangible friend group or company. Citizenship is having a sense of invested involvement to drive the community in the way of positive social change.
So What? My experience... Here I can provide two examples both within the same organization as an observation of leadership. Within the Big Event my sophomore year, the leaders were fantastic. They ensured that all of us on committee were there for a common purpose. Not only that, but they created an atmosphere of mutual respect and friendship where we felt like we were working toward a common goal. That year I was so incredibly motivated to work toward this goal and won committee member of the year.
The following year, leadership was too results driven and not enough people driven. When leaders don't value people, they lose respect. No community is able to be built when I felt like I was on constant defense mode. What used to be a positive organization felt like a complete change of face to become a negative leadership style. As a result, I felt less motivated and disconnected from the organizations mission.
Now What? My reflection...Whenever I start working with a new team, I first try to have us all get to know one another better. When friendships form, people become accountable to each other and feel welcomed in. This belonging, or citizenship, is not only fun to create but leads to an easier team to manage. When people belong, they belong to a common purpose, and they move as a functional unit toward accomplishing a goal.
Controversy with Civility
Microfluidics:
PowerPoint Definition: Within a diverse group, it is inevitable that differing viewpoints will exist. In order for a group to work towards positive social change, open, critical, and civil discourse can lead to new, creative solutions and is an integral component of the leadership process
My Definition: The ability to work with others knowing that everyone comes from a different background. And ultimately, being able to voice differing opinions in a healthy manner so that others are able to see your point of view. Using this diversity to solve complex problems in unique ways.
So What? My experience... Science is about discovery and the laboratory is full of people from very diverse backgrounds. The lab I work in, as an example, uses microfluidic devices to track neutrophil and eosinophil migration. This technology allows us to see the phenotype of the cells at the single cell level and can be applied to diagnose disease rapidly and for less cost than traditional methods. This technology is so interdisciplinary. Our primary investigator is a Biological Systems Engineer with a background in immunology. Our lab is housed in Biological Sciences. And we've got me (a biologist), a biochemist, a pharmacist, a mathematical modeler, and someone who is interested in veterinary medicine. So many different disciplines lead to several VERY different thought processes and we often butt heads. To keep discovery happening though, we listen to each other and learn from each other's experience. Usually this helps us get even more done by working processes differently and more efficiently.
Now What? My reflection... You can discover so much about yourself by getting out of your comfort zone. Sure, limit what you know and never talk to someone different. But, challenge yourself and talk to someone different than you and your ability to learn is limitless. By working with others, even if it gets tense, you can appreciate and implement other's ideas. This is the thinking gray concept: observe a problem, take a step back, think of all possible solutions, and implement the best one regardless of bias. Leadership can sometimes be a coexisting role and does not necessarily mean you're in charge.
PowerPoint Definition: Within a diverse group, it is inevitable that differing viewpoints will exist. In order for a group to work towards positive social change, open, critical, and civil discourse can lead to new, creative solutions and is an integral component of the leadership process
My Definition: The ability to work with others knowing that everyone comes from a different background. And ultimately, being able to voice differing opinions in a healthy manner so that others are able to see your point of view. Using this diversity to solve complex problems in unique ways.
So What? My experience... Science is about discovery and the laboratory is full of people from very diverse backgrounds. The lab I work in, as an example, uses microfluidic devices to track neutrophil and eosinophil migration. This technology allows us to see the phenotype of the cells at the single cell level and can be applied to diagnose disease rapidly and for less cost than traditional methods. This technology is so interdisciplinary. Our primary investigator is a Biological Systems Engineer with a background in immunology. Our lab is housed in Biological Sciences. And we've got me (a biologist), a biochemist, a pharmacist, a mathematical modeler, and someone who is interested in veterinary medicine. So many different disciplines lead to several VERY different thought processes and we often butt heads. To keep discovery happening though, we listen to each other and learn from each other's experience. Usually this helps us get even more done by working processes differently and more efficiently.
Now What? My reflection... You can discover so much about yourself by getting out of your comfort zone. Sure, limit what you know and never talk to someone different. But, challenge yourself and talk to someone different than you and your ability to learn is limitless. By working with others, even if it gets tense, you can appreciate and implement other's ideas. This is the thinking gray concept: observe a problem, take a step back, think of all possible solutions, and implement the best one regardless of bias. Leadership can sometimes be a coexisting role and does not necessarily mean you're in charge.
Common Purpose
PowerPoint Definition: Common purpose necessitates and contributes to a high level of group trust involving all participants in shared responsibility towards collective aims, values, and vision.
My Definition: Common purpose is the movement toward a unified goal. It takes time to "norm and storm" with those around you to get to know your followers. Only then can a goal be identified to come towards. The goal is unified so that everyone feels a sense of purpose and belonging as they work toward that goal.
So What? My experience... The first thing I did last year when I was elected president of my ASDA chapter was to sit down with my cabinet and write a mission statement. This was a wild task. I was asking everyone to agree on one simple goal "to prepare our members to become the most compeditive applicants to dental school." It had to be simple for us all to agree. In this way, in whatever we did, we worked toward that common goal. Every meeting, every group text message, every email. They all had a purpose because we established it together. Everyone truly cared and had belonging within the goal. It was our goal, not just my goal.
Now What? My reflection... When working together, you have the ability to work bigger. But, it's impossible to reach lofty goals alone. Reach high and aim even bigger. But, without your team, you limit what you can do. When rallying your team though, you have to have them buy in. The easiest way to do this is by working together on a goal so that everyone feels invested. Then, the team will work together towards a common purpose, a goal they have bought into.
My Definition: Common purpose is the movement toward a unified goal. It takes time to "norm and storm" with those around you to get to know your followers. Only then can a goal be identified to come towards. The goal is unified so that everyone feels a sense of purpose and belonging as they work toward that goal.
So What? My experience... The first thing I did last year when I was elected president of my ASDA chapter was to sit down with my cabinet and write a mission statement. This was a wild task. I was asking everyone to agree on one simple goal "to prepare our members to become the most compeditive applicants to dental school." It had to be simple for us all to agree. In this way, in whatever we did, we worked toward that common goal. Every meeting, every group text message, every email. They all had a purpose because we established it together. Everyone truly cared and had belonging within the goal. It was our goal, not just my goal.
Now What? My reflection... When working together, you have the ability to work bigger. But, it's impossible to reach lofty goals alone. Reach high and aim even bigger. But, without your team, you limit what you can do. When rallying your team though, you have to have them buy in. The easiest way to do this is by working together on a goal so that everyone feels invested. Then, the team will work together towards a common purpose, a goal they have bought into.
Thursday, March 30, 2017
Collaboration
PowerPoint Definition: Collaboration assumes that a group is working towards a Common Purpose, with mutually beneficial goals and serves to generate creative solutions as a result of group diversity, requiring participants to engage across difference and share authority, responsibility, and accountability for its success.
My Definition: The ability to work together towards a common positive goal to create collective positive social change. The use of individuals strengths to synergize and solve problems collectivly.
So What? My experience... When working with other national ASDA leaders, we are all there with a common purpose: the Association. The association priorities are our own priorities and we must keep them in mind in everything that we do. As there is much to accomplish, we must collaborate with people so that we can accomplish tasks individually according to strengths and then bring them together for the greater accomplishments of the Association.
Now What? My reflection... I used to be the person that would just do it myself so I knew it got done. But, I'm really not good at everything. In fact, I'm really bad at a lot of things. By collaborating with others, you are getting the best product possible. Not only that, but you're providing meaning and ownership for others in the team. This creates a sense of caring and belonging to the common goal.
My Definition: The ability to work together towards a common positive goal to create collective positive social change. The use of individuals strengths to synergize and solve problems collectivly.
So What? My experience... When working with other national ASDA leaders, we are all there with a common purpose: the Association. The association priorities are our own priorities and we must keep them in mind in everything that we do. As there is much to accomplish, we must collaborate with people so that we can accomplish tasks individually according to strengths and then bring them together for the greater accomplishments of the Association.
Now What? My reflection... I used to be the person that would just do it myself so I knew it got done. But, I'm really not good at everything. In fact, I'm really bad at a lot of things. By collaborating with others, you are getting the best product possible. Not only that, but you're providing meaning and ownership for others in the team. This creates a sense of caring and belonging to the common goal.
Commitment
PowerPoint Definition: Commitment requires an intrinsic passion, energy, and purposeful investment towards action. Follow-through and willing involvement through commitment lead to positive social change.
My Definition: Commitment is the ability to be loyal to a group or organization and stay with them over a long period of time. It's a long term or fixed term contract where you are constantly contributing for the good of the group.
So What? My experiences... I first learned what commitment was back in third grade. I went to an IB elementary school and one of the PYP (Primary Years Programme) words was commitment. I broke by arm in third grade and received the award for commitment. My peers and teachers recognized me for commitment because, even though I broke my arm, I remained loyal to the classroom community and completed all assignments and never used it as an excuse. In general I also tend to crave long term commitments. In middle and high school I volunteered at the same community center for six years. I've been singing for 16 years. In high school I was involved and committed to three ensembles over four years. And, I've been working as a choral scholar for over six years. I've committed myself to the American Student Dental Association for the past four years and plan to stay involved the next four years. I commit to a life time in the ADA and as an outstanding dentist.
Now What? My reflection... Commitment is certainly one of my strengths and I value it in others. To me, it is one of the most important quality someone can have. When I am looking to assemble a team, I look for people who are committed. I want to ensure consistency and the way you do that is through having the same people work on a project from start to finish. It is inefficient to have to replace team members repetitively. When commitment is lost, production is lost. The goal is lost.
My Definition: Commitment is the ability to be loyal to a group or organization and stay with them over a long period of time. It's a long term or fixed term contract where you are constantly contributing for the good of the group.
So What? My experiences... I first learned what commitment was back in third grade. I went to an IB elementary school and one of the PYP (Primary Years Programme) words was commitment. I broke by arm in third grade and received the award for commitment. My peers and teachers recognized me for commitment because, even though I broke my arm, I remained loyal to the classroom community and completed all assignments and never used it as an excuse. In general I also tend to crave long term commitments. In middle and high school I volunteered at the same community center for six years. I've been singing for 16 years. In high school I was involved and committed to three ensembles over four years. And, I've been working as a choral scholar for over six years. I've committed myself to the American Student Dental Association for the past four years and plan to stay involved the next four years. I commit to a life time in the ADA and as an outstanding dentist.
Now What? My reflection... Commitment is certainly one of my strengths and I value it in others. To me, it is one of the most important quality someone can have. When I am looking to assemble a team, I look for people who are committed. I want to ensure consistency and the way you do that is through having the same people work on a project from start to finish. It is inefficient to have to replace team members repetitively. When commitment is lost, production is lost. The goal is lost.
Congruence
PowerPoint Definition: Congruence requires that one has identified personal values, beliefs, attitudes, and emotions and acts consistently with those values, beliefs, attitudes, and emotions. A congruent individual is genuine and honest and “walks the talk.”
My Definition: Congruence is when a person is well rounded in the sense that their morals match their actions. Actions and morals coexist in harmony with each other. It's when someone says or proclaims something and then their actions reflect their words. They're the complete opposite of the "do as I say, not as I do" person.
So What? My experience.... Again, it's easy to say one thing and do another. It takes the investment of energy to stay consistent. Within my leadership of the predental club, I lead the exec but I am also a member of the exec. I set standards such as attending all predental meetings, asking questions during guest speakers presentations, completing duties on time, etc. Honestly, I didn't even really have to formally set these expectations. I just did them as president of the club and all exec sort of just followed and knew this was expected of them.
Now What? My reflection.... Leading by example is key. But, to lead by example, as a leader you must create a goal of what that example will be. Now, whenever I go into a new leadership role, I ask myself what I want to accomplish. I set my own set of goals and actively work toward them and I'll find that others will do the same.
My Definition: Congruence is when a person is well rounded in the sense that their morals match their actions. Actions and morals coexist in harmony with each other. It's when someone says or proclaims something and then their actions reflect their words. They're the complete opposite of the "do as I say, not as I do" person.
So What? My experience.... Again, it's easy to say one thing and do another. It takes the investment of energy to stay consistent. Within my leadership of the predental club, I lead the exec but I am also a member of the exec. I set standards such as attending all predental meetings, asking questions during guest speakers presentations, completing duties on time, etc. Honestly, I didn't even really have to formally set these expectations. I just did them as president of the club and all exec sort of just followed and knew this was expected of them.
Now What? My reflection.... Leading by example is key. But, to lead by example, as a leader you must create a goal of what that example will be. Now, whenever I go into a new leadership role, I ask myself what I want to accomplish. I set my own set of goals and actively work toward them and I'll find that others will do the same.
Consciousness of Self
PowerPoint Definition: Consciousness of self requires an awareness of personal beliefs, values, attitudes, and emotions. Self-awareness, conscious mindfulness, introspection, and continual personal reflection are foundational elements of the leadership process.
My Own Definition: The ability to take a step back and critically assess your own actions, words, and effectiveness within any scenario. Consciousness of self is the ability to self reflect and then act on what you see to improve any situation.
So What? My experiences... At the beginning of college, I would say that this was probably a weakness. After all, life is a heck of a lot easier if you just tell yourself everything is going great. But, at some point, life is just going to hit you in the face. That happened to me my freshman year when I came in as a music and biochemistry major. "I can do it," I told myself. But I couldn't and was confronted with the requirement to self reflect.
Now What? My reflection... I now make this part of my routine. Every night while I lie in bed, I ask myself "what did I do well today and where can I improve." Every morning as I'm in the shower, I run through the day and set expectations. This requires me to not only set goals but critically reflect on myself everyday. While I used to find this hard, it is now an everyday thing that is improving my ability to lead. I start fresh everyday instead of piling up expectations without a frequent check.
As a TA for freshman biology, I even send out a mid-semester and end of semester survey to all of my students. This forces me to be frequently conscious of how I'm doing in that role. Instead of lying to myself about how awesome I may be, this requires me to see the truth. Maybe I'm being to sarcastic? Maybe I need to spend more time with a particular group of students? Self reflection is good. It's a chance to be honest with yourself and improve.
My Own Definition: The ability to take a step back and critically assess your own actions, words, and effectiveness within any scenario. Consciousness of self is the ability to self reflect and then act on what you see to improve any situation.
 |
| Critique of Pure Interest |
Now What? My reflection... I now make this part of my routine. Every night while I lie in bed, I ask myself "what did I do well today and where can I improve." Every morning as I'm in the shower, I run through the day and set expectations. This requires me to not only set goals but critically reflect on myself everyday. While I used to find this hard, it is now an everyday thing that is improving my ability to lead. I start fresh everyday instead of piling up expectations without a frequent check.
As a TA for freshman biology, I even send out a mid-semester and end of semester survey to all of my students. This forces me to be frequently conscious of how I'm doing in that role. Instead of lying to myself about how awesome I may be, this requires me to see the truth. Maybe I'm being to sarcastic? Maybe I need to spend more time with a particular group of students? Self reflection is good. It's a chance to be honest with yourself and improve.
Thursday, March 23, 2017
Key Events: American Student Dental Association
What: ASDA has cared about me for the past four year. They provided me with the training to not only be a great leader but a great speaker. I was provided with the training needed to take me beyond being a great leader. I was provided with the skills to motivate others. Leadership is not just about motivating others to follow your lead towards positive social change. But rather, finding someone to do better than you.
So What: This Spring I was reviewing applications to take the role of Predental Consultant on the Council of Membership. I found the perfect candidate. Well-spoken. Already President of his predental organization. Yet, better than me. So, caring about the organization that has provided me with everything.... I appointed him. The best a leader can do is leaving an Association better off than it started.
Now What: In the present and future, leadership is less about me and more about 'we.' Did we do better than before? Did we leave the organization better than we found it? If all that can be answered "yes," then we succeeded. Because, it's not about the individual goal. It's about whether the group goal was accomplished.
Key Events: Thinking Gray
What: In the Dynamics of Leadership course with Matt Grimes, one section of the book we read talked about stepping back before making a decision. It stated that in order to truly make the right decision, a leader must step back and have no preconceived thoughts. They must brainstorm every possible solution and then fairly evaluate each one before selecting.
So What: I think a major problem with leaders (including myself) is that we often think that our first idea is the best idea. We go with that by instinct. Sometimes it works, but often it does not. By not evaluating all possible options, we are selling ourselves short. We are not giving our followers the benefit of having the best possible outcome. Instead of thinking black or white, we must thing black and white. We must be that neutral party on a team.
Now What: When confronted with something, I never respond right away. I give myself (at a bare minimum) an hour to think it over. In my role as Predental Club President, I often throw problems at my exec team and allow them to create solutions and propose pros and cons. I think about all of those options while remaining neutral and then make a decision based on that.
Key Events: Big Event
What: The Big Event at Virginia Tech is the second largest collegiate service organization in the nation. In 2016, we collected over 1,200 community service projects for over 9,000 student volunteers to complete in the surrounding community. The Big Event is one big day to say one big thanks to the NRV. Big Event was my first leadership "role" in college. I was selected as a committee member for project evaluations and served in this role for two years. After that I was promoted to Director of Projects. This year I serve as a mentor to those in my role this year.
So What: This event taught me all about people's prospective of what leadership is while I learned what leadership actually is. The Big Event is a highly structured organization. There is an operations team, a group of committee members, a board of directors, an assistant director, and two co-directors. It is very hierarchical and structured. I learned by watching people that those viewed at the tops of organizations like this are thought to be the best leaders. They get the most publicity, thanks, and respect. Many times, these leaders are fantastic, however sometimes they're not. But, because of the structure, people go on mindlessly following their leadership.
In an earlier blog post, I defined leadership something along the lines as working together with your followers towards a common goal. In the Big Event, I saw committee members often "out leading" their directors. Often the 'little guy' makes more of a significant gain towards accomplishing that common goal.
Now What: After the Big Event, I began to regard leadership more as a process than as a position. While I still hold leadership roles, I ensure that my actions still reflect those of working towards a common goal. In non-leadership roles, I've stopped caring about stepping on toes and often try to make a difference where ever possible.
Friday, March 17, 2017
Coursework (Part 2)
Course: Introduction to African American Studies (AFST 1714)
Semester: Fall 2015
Instructor: Paula Seniors
1) History can be viewed with a series of different lenses. When working with a team, as a leader it is important to consider everyone's background and experiences. This can shape the way people think and can help leaders understand people's perspectives better.
2) African American is a large group of many cultures grouped together. They are extremly diverse: Cubans, African Americans, Haitians, and native Africans. While Americans like to employ stereotypes, they can easily end up being misapplied.
3) From singers, to jazz musicians, to actors and actresses, and even to the Harlem Globetrotters. African Americans led the cultural arts revolution.
Sample Work:
http://craigldrscapstone.blogspot.com/2017/03/afst-sample-work-1.html
http://craigldrscapstone.blogspot.com/2017/03/afst-sample-work-2.html
Course: Management Theory and Leadership Practice (MGT 3304)
Semester: Spring 2016
Instructor: Steve Matuszak
1) Management is the control of people to get tasks completed by any means necessary. Leadership takes this one step further and has a lot to do with inspiring others to work towards a goal they also see value in. In both cases, assignments are completed. However, by leading, you are setting a purpose that people feel attached to and inspired to do their best work.
2) As a manager, you can be people focused or project focused. It's important to keep a fine balance between the two to keep people happy and motivated while still producing a high quality product.
3) To motivate followers, one must maintain hygiene factors while creating rewards. Hygiene factors must be maintained to keep people satisfied (like toilet paper in the restrooms, temperature in the office, etc). Motivation can also be positive rewards like bonuses tailored to what motivated employees. There's a whole hierarchy to keep in mind when coming up with rewards to make sure they're suited to your followers needs and wants.
Sample Work: This course was really all online lecture watching, book reading, note taking, and taking exams. Attached are two of my four sets of notes to study for the exams.
Notes 1
Notes 2
Course: Honors Service Learning (UH 3204) (approved course substitute)
Semester: Spring 2015
Instructor: Jake Grohs
1) Public education is failing students. Teachers unions are protecting bad teachers while completely ignoring the needs of students. School systems are stuck passing around these "bad lemons" from school to school or putting them in administration center.
2) By using lottery systems for charter schools and tracking students into honors programs from a young age, the system is determining which children will be successful and which students will fail almost immediately.
3) Education varies so much by location and there must be some standardization to ensure quality control. Programs like headstart are trying to correct this by giving children from low income families get an equal start to quality education.
4) Michelle Rhee is my hero. She ignored the need to be politically correct and went into DC public schools without holding back. She is fearless and truly cared about the future of DCs children.
Sample Work:
1) Application for course substitution discussing the 7 Cs
2) My hometown education
Semester: Fall 2015
Instructor: Paula Seniors
Course Description: "In
this course we will learn about the interdisciplinary field of African
American Studies. We will learn about the historical background of
African American Studies; explore the intersections between race,
gender, and class in the discipline; and learn about the subfields that
make up African American Studies. We will also gain an understanding of
the interconnections between scholarship and activism. Assignments
include sixteen quizzes, weekly readings viewing assigned videos,
listening to assigned music, and reading assigned plays and poems." (from the syllabus
Takeaways: 1) History can be viewed with a series of different lenses. When working with a team, as a leader it is important to consider everyone's background and experiences. This can shape the way people think and can help leaders understand people's perspectives better.
2) African American is a large group of many cultures grouped together. They are extremly diverse: Cubans, African Americans, Haitians, and native Africans. While Americans like to employ stereotypes, they can easily end up being misapplied.
3) From singers, to jazz musicians, to actors and actresses, and even to the Harlem Globetrotters. African Americans led the cultural arts revolution.
Sample Work:
http://craigldrscapstone.blogspot.com/2017/03/afst-sample-work-1.html
http://craigldrscapstone.blogspot.com/2017/03/afst-sample-work-2.html
Course: Management Theory and Leadership Practice (MGT 3304)
Semester: Spring 2016
Instructor: Steve Matuszak
Course Description: "This survey course introduces the student to a broad range of concepts, theories and practices important for a basic understanding of management. Topics also focus on the environment in which today’s managers must effectively operate." (from syllabus)
Takeaways: 1) Management is the control of people to get tasks completed by any means necessary. Leadership takes this one step further and has a lot to do with inspiring others to work towards a goal they also see value in. In both cases, assignments are completed. However, by leading, you are setting a purpose that people feel attached to and inspired to do their best work.
2) As a manager, you can be people focused or project focused. It's important to keep a fine balance between the two to keep people happy and motivated while still producing a high quality product.
3) To motivate followers, one must maintain hygiene factors while creating rewards. Hygiene factors must be maintained to keep people satisfied (like toilet paper in the restrooms, temperature in the office, etc). Motivation can also be positive rewards like bonuses tailored to what motivated employees. There's a whole hierarchy to keep in mind when coming up with rewards to make sure they're suited to your followers needs and wants.
Sample Work: This course was really all online lecture watching, book reading, note taking, and taking exams. Attached are two of my four sets of notes to study for the exams.
Notes 1
Notes 2
Course: Honors Service Learning (UH 3204) (approved course substitute)
Semester: Spring 2015
Instructor: Jake Grohs
Course Description: "Through direct service, students are engaged with the local community and witness first-hand the relevant barriers and issues that are faced. Theory is used to supplement the individual experience as both a tool for providing educational/social/local context as well as a catalyst for deepened learning. In particular, concepts of childhood development, service, education, citizenship, and social change will be unpacked and examined. To intentionally integrate theory and experience, both group process and individual reflection are used consistently throughout the course. Rich community interaction, relevant and challenging readings, and an open forum for assembling the experience, will drive students to make the most of their service-learning experience." (from the syllabus)
Takeaways: 1) Public education is failing students. Teachers unions are protecting bad teachers while completely ignoring the needs of students. School systems are stuck passing around these "bad lemons" from school to school or putting them in administration center.
2) By using lottery systems for charter schools and tracking students into honors programs from a young age, the system is determining which children will be successful and which students will fail almost immediately.
3) Education varies so much by location and there must be some standardization to ensure quality control. Programs like headstart are trying to correct this by giving children from low income families get an equal start to quality education.
4) Michelle Rhee is my hero. She ignored the need to be politically correct and went into DC public schools without holding back. She is fearless and truly cared about the future of DCs children.
Sample Work:
1) Application for course substitution discussing the 7 Cs
2) My hometown education
Honors Service Learning 2
McLean, VA
Many people here drive fancy cars and
Claim fancy jobs yet treat kindness as a
Luxury. The Washington suburbs are
Excellent for the resources they offer:
A+ educations and the ability to develop
Non-conformist views of issues at hand.
Very few represent very many here.
Also, why have highways that don’t move?
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