“It was definitely overwhelming, but I gained a lot of info that made me more excited for the upcoming fall semester of service-learning.” said Professor Silvia Soto, one of the faculty participating in the “You’re Preparing to Teach a Service-Learning Course in the Fall: What to do Now?” workshop. A group of curious faculty members gathered together via zoom to participate in a workshop about service-learning which included a short guide into the wide world of service-learning at Sonoma State. This workshop was a way for faculty members and fellows to meet and talk about community partners, where they are in that process, and what strategies they have been using to recruit community partners.
Missy asked, “Where are you guys at with finding your community partners?” One of the members who stepped up to the plate for this question was Benjamin Smith, an Associate Professor of Human Development. He stated: “I’m still in the beginning stages but I want to get the nuts and bolts examples of what it means to navigate political and social issues through service-learning.”
We were then put in breakout rooms to discuss and collaborate on what service-learning was for them and where they were in the process of developing their plans for their upcoming year’s courses. The members in my room were Caroline Banuelos, Missy Garvin, Benjamin Smith, and myself. I diligently sat taking notes and listening into the conversation which was of great interest to me to see the behind the scenes of service-learning and all the processes that come with starting up a service-learning course with such a diverse group of community partners, students, and faculty. Missy and Benjamin discussed his different strategies for service-based learning, such as what needs to be fulfilled or what organizations he has reached out to, as well as what they have been doing in the way of communicating back and forth with him which ultimately gets the ball-rolling in terms of service learning. Caroline suggested a community partner that might be better suited for the project he envisions for his class.
in the Fall
The workshop was a productive way to touch base, strengthen, and renew relationships for the upcoming Fall. Professors new to service learning, as well as others, worked with some of the fellows to get some new ideas about communicating with them, getting new project ideas, or learning about different aspects of project-based service-learning. It was an interesting meeting to attend and learn about service-learning from a student’s perspective, especially seeing new and interested professors learn about how to prepare for the fall with their service-learning courses.