Service-Learning - Student - Onondaga Community College

OCC Salutes the Troops
This project
from the get go
was to Support
our Troops but
we all learned
a valuable
lesson - The
students made
a difference
and sensed the
transformation
in both
themselves and
the people affected. Hence, I will continue the
Community Service-Learning projects throughout
my tenure at OCC.
By Matthew Louer
The consensus was unanimous – “I Made a Difference” and “I felt
and experienced something that opened me to the idea of getting
involved, joining a group project, even for the sake of being part of
a group.” Over 110 students and representatives from OCC and the
community volunteered over 500 hours to coordinate, support, build
awareness, providing resources and numerous donations for the care
packages that are being distributed. It really does take a village!
To quote one of my students, “What am I, as a student, if I do not use
what I’m taught? What am I, as a human, if I do not care to
help others in situations because I don’t participate with
those around me?
One of the reasons that my students and I chose to Salute
the Troops was because of Robin Meade, host of HLN News
who does a daily shout out to all the troops around the
world. Onondaga Community College saluted our troops
through a special two part fundraiser on November 21
from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. in the Gordon Student Center and
Mawhinney Hall Lobbies. Hosted by Professor Matt Louer's
Interpersonal Communications (COM101) classes, the
fundraiser included raffles to several area restaurants, pizza
parlors, and other entertainment venues. On December 12,
a Human Heart Chain, plus a 4’ x 24’ banner with “Onondaga
Community College Salutes the Troops” and interviews
with WWII, Vietnam and Iraq/Afghanistan veterans was
held at the SRC Arena. With the proceeds, the classes and I
purchased a number of items and created care packages for
our troops. I would also like to convey a special shout out to
Paul Holzwarth, from the Veterans Office, Kathleen Tracy, of
the Art Department and Maria Malagisi, Career and Applied
Learning Center.
In addition to servicing the community, the
students put to use what they learned in the
classroom. For example, students took turns
calling the winners of raffles, which was more
difficult than they originally thought with 23
of your classmates looking and listening. Also,
many students never sold or worked in the sales
field, hence selling raffle tickets and food was
more difficult for some, but with a little urging,
they were very successful raising over $800.00.
Feedback from the students ranged from “I
thought I could never ask anyone for $ to buy
something" to "I believe in myself and realize if I
communicate effectively what I’m selling and why,
people are more receptive to say yes. It’s all about
how you communicate the message, look them in
the eye and be motivated."
Calling all OCC Students and Staff!
Looking for a way to get your students involved with the community or perhaps an opportunity for you and your family?
Keep an eye out for some one-day service project opportunities during
National Volunteer Week: April 15th-21st!
Contact Maria Malagisi, malagism@sunyocc.edu; 498-7207 for more information or to sign up!
at Onondaga Community College
Career Exploration and
Workforce Development
through Service Learning
Onondaga’s service-learning program supports this goal through
curricular activities that connect the classroom with the community.
Student evaluations of their service-learning experience consistently
indicate that exploration of career options is an important part of the
learning that takes place. Some Onondaga students’ comments in a
post service-learning evaluation reflect how this hands-on pre-career
experience confirmed some students’ career goals:
“You gain confidence in working with others. It prepares you for the
‘real world’ workplace. I learned so much from being out in the field
rather than just doing a paper on it.”
“It allows you to experience your desired field in a practical sense. I
was able to see a functional classroom and how this course of study
applied to the job.”
A great opportunity for students and faculty to connect to some community agencies!
Wednesday, February 15th, 11AM – 1PM | Gordon Student Center Hallway and lobby
“While college courses prepare students, nothing can teach as well as
first hand experiences. My courses supplied the knowledge needed
for my future career. However, this experience teaches how to apply
that knowledge. I believe an experience like this should be required
for all students.”
Faculty and students needed to help prepare,
set up, orchestrate, and judge the 2012 TRSEF
on the OCC campus!
Sat., March 31st
American Heart Association Walk
Join Team Onondaga to help raise funds
for research and walk for the American Heart
Association on the OCC campus!
A publication of Onondaga Community College’s Service-Learning Committee and the Career and Applied Learning Center. Editor: Dianne Fancher
Service-Learning at Onondaga Community College
By Andrea Kuney, Sophomore, Humanities major
One of the targeted outcomes of Onondaga’s 2011-2016 Strategic
Plan, “A Framework for Success,” states: “95% of students will state
their learning experience at Onondaga Community College highly
contributed to their knowledge, skills, and personal development.”
This outcome cannot be achieved solely through classroom
experiences. Not only do service-learning experiences provide
an opportunity for hands-on professional, personal, and soft skills
development but if students are engaging in service-learning
opportunities that are relevant to their potential career objectives,
the experience provides an opportunity to solidify the students’
educational and career goals.
“I feel I received the experience I needed in order to solidify my career
goals. I am now 100% sure I want to be a teacher.”
Fri, March 16th – Sun, March 18th
Dr. Nelson Ying Tri-Region Science
and Engineering Fair
OCC Saves the Rain
By Maria Malagisi
Don’t miss the Spring 2012 Volunteer Fair!
On campus opportunities in March:
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Service-Learning
Issue 14, Spring 2012
For these students, and many others, a service-learning experience
provided a compelling opportunity for them to make career
decisions, and develop skills, such as soft skills, that could not be
taught in a classroom. With appropriate attention to placement and
support of our students and our community partners, the servicelearning program has become one that serves to develop sustainable
partnerships, and to engender student success in their education,
and in their career.
On October 22 of 2011, a group of 65 volunteers, including students
and faculty from Onondaga and the Parks Department, gathered at the
Magnarelli Community Center in McChesney Park to make a difference in
the Court Woodlawn neighborhood by planting 50 trees.
Onondaga joined the Save the Rain program to commemorate its 50th
anniversary by helping out the community and environment. The Save
the Rain program is a “stormwater management plan intended to reduce
pollution in Onondaga Lake and its tributaries.” Whenever it rains and snows
in Syracuse the stormwater goes into the local sewer system and overloads
it. Overloading in the sewer causes the system to release the combined
sanitary flow and stormwater into the local waterways, also known as
Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO). The waterways then lead the sanitary flow
and stormwater into Onondaga Lake causing pollution in the lake. Trees help
reduce the amount of water fall to the ground by catching the water with
their leaves, thus reducing CSO.
This was a project in which the entire campus was able to participate.
Students from OCC were able to gain not only community service hours for
their clubs, but experience as well. They were able to work side by side with
faculty members and employees, including Debbie Sydow, our very own
president, and in groups of different ages. Each group went to an area of
continued on page 2
Rain, from front page
the neighborhood assigned to them and were led by service-learning honors
students from ENG 296, who were trained to be crew leaders for this project.
The honors students who volunteered to be crew leaders did so to learn
about leadership as part of their course. There was a reflection component in
which each student had to write an essay on the project and what we gained
from having a leadership role.
During our class discussion on the project we each had the same thought
in mind. We were going to dig a hole and plop the tree in. But when it came
to training day we learned that it was not as simple as it sounds. A tree is
very delicate, especially around the roots, so we had to be careful in how we
placed the tree, made sure not to cut the roots too much if they needed to
be trimmed, and even which direction to face it. All of these elements are
used to ensure a long life for the tree. It was very important that every leader
knew them to teach the volunteers. Every house had a different type of tree
which ranged from Redbud, Red Oak, Service Berry, Freeman, Honeylocust,
to River Birch. People who received a tree were appreciative of the service.
Some would even come outside to personally thank the volunteers and ask
questions about the new tree in their yard. As one of the crew leaders and
a student, I personally was able to improve on goal setting, working with
different personalities and contrastive ages, as well as taking advice to better
my leadership skills.
The culmination of this project would not have been possible without
Frances Lawlor, an urban forestry educator at Cornell Cooperative Extension,
who helped coordinate the project and Steve Harris, the city arborist, who
guided the students, faculty, and other volunteers during the day. Maria
Malagisi was also a big part of this by helping Onondaga find a service
project where everyone, including the environment, benefitted from this
amazing activity.
Resource: Save the Rain. About section. Jan. 10, 2012. http://savetherain.us/about/
Service-Learning in the MAT 122 Curriculum
Angela Gunn: POS 100
By Michelle Doucette
“My role as a poll worker assisted in the building of civic duty and civic
responsibility by positively influencing
me to have a sense of obligation to
participate in public affairs, as typically
most citizens are disinterested.
The experience really gave me a
different perspective on being a
citizen which now I can and should
do more than just vote, but avail
myself to participate in being part
of the election. Also continuously
participating and activating our
civic duty or responsibility gives an
individual more of a concept of how
politics works, and if everyone works
together, they can possibly make a
difference.”
FALL 2011
Service-Learning Statistics
FACULTY
Godiers/
Ruddock
FORMAT
SITES
Optional
Interfaith Works Warehouse
BUS 244
Ley
Optional
United Way agencies
CIS 292
Sicilia
Required
One day events
COM 101
Louer
Integrated
OCC Salutes the Troops
On September 16, 2011, a
group of eight students and
employees made their way
to the 100 block of Hoefler
Street to join other volunteer
groups in painting, weeding,
building, repairing, and
landscaping many homes.
CRJ 101
Stuccio
Optional
Various
ENG 103
Lubar
Integrated
Van Duyn Home & Hospital
ENG 104
Pierson
Optional
Northside CYO
ENG 296
Fish-Kalland
Required
Various Projects
MAT 122
Doucette
Optional
Elem Schools
Some students and faculty
participated as part of a
service-learning experience
for CIS 292. Professor Sheila
Sicilia explains that as a
result of the feedback and
reflections she received
from the students, “this
has convinced me that
volunteering should remain
an important part of
CIS292!!!”
NUR 297
Dooly
Required
Children's Learning Center /
Huntington Family Center
NUR 298
Lamana
Required
AHEPA apartments/Van Duyn
POS 100
Tamrowski
Required
Board of Elections
PSY 103
Melburg
Optional
Various
PSY 207
Martin-Louer Optional
Various
PSY 204
Vasek
Optional
Various
PSY 206
Vasek
Optional
Various
SPA 101
Hromalik
Honors
MANOS
SPA 220
Schuster
Ind. Study
Spanish Action League
SOC 204
Zane
Optional
Various
Consider joining Team
Onondaga for Home
Headquarters’ Block Blitz in
September 2012!
I have received positive feedback
from the elementary teachers
who have agreed to host the
OCC students. Jenn DeCook, a
second grade teacher at the KCH
Elementary School in the Marcellus
School District had this to say about
the program:
Angela is a second year student at Onondaga majoring in Humanities. Once
she attains her Associates Degree from OCC she plans to continue on to get
her Bachelor's degree at Syracuse University.
COURSE
ARH/
IND 101
Team Onondaga at
Home Headquarters’
Block Blitz, 2011
2
Student Spotlight
In the fall 2011 semester, 192 students served 1,618 hours in service-learning
experiences both directly and indirectly at non-profit/community based
agencies in Syracuse and the surrounding areas.
Service-Learning at Onondaga Community College
Service-learning was instituted into the MAT 122 (Mathematics for
Elementary School Teachers: Problem Solving II) course during the fall 2008
semester and has continued every semester since then. OCC students
enrolled in MAT 122 have the option of spending 10 hours in an elementary
school working with mathematics, or writing an eight page paper along with
two activities dealing with the development of a specific topic in the K – 6
mathematics curricula. It is not surprising that the majority of students opt
for the service-learning component.
The parameters for the pre-service teachers who are completing servicelearning are:
• Working with students one-on-one during math class
• Tutoring
• Proctoring mathematics tests or quizzes
• Assisting the teacher with hands-on involvement by preparing
classroom projects or grading
• Answering students’ questions during math class
They are also required to write a weekly reflection statement about their
activities in the schools to assist them in learning from these classroom
experiences.
I felt strongly that service-learning should become part of the MAT 122 course
because I wanted the pre-service teachers to know what is required to teach
grades K – 6. It has been my experience that many students do not realize
until later in their degree program that a career in elementary education is not
for them. These students may like children, but may not have the patience
to work with young children in a structured setting. Many people become
interested in teaching because of what appears to be a short workday, with
the added benefits of weekends, summers and holidays off. It is not until
they become involved in the classroom that they see the dedication, patience,
organizational skills and effort necessary to be a successful teacher. The OCC
students are able to observe experienced teachers first-hand, thus giving
them various models to learn from and aspire to.
"I agree with your
methodology and belief
system about the value of
such an experience 100%. I
have a very diverse classroom
with a large ability set this
year, and with heightened
constraints, new benchmarks,
and lack of funding it is
challenging to differentiate
instruction effectively. The
extra eyes, ears, and hands
are greatly appreciated! I
had many opportunities to volunteer in elementary classrooms
in high-school and college and do feel that I learned SO MUCH
from all of the children, and yet I agree that while I love kids, I
had NO CLUE what it was like until the first day in my own room.
Thank you for providing this incredible hands-on experience
and expectation for your students. As an educator and mom I
appreciate your willingness to facilitate this. Please let me know
how else I can help."
Spending time in the elementary schools increases their understanding of
how mathematics is taught at the elementary level and where various topics
occur in the curriculum. They see exactly where students may encounter
difficulties. Additionally, the OCC students see the relevance of what they are
studying in the course and how it applies in the elementary classroom. The
students frequently report an increase in self-confidence, communication
and social skills. They note a better understanding of the elementary
classroom. Most importantly, the students report enjoying the experience!
Michelle Janes, a MAT 122 student during the fall 2011 semester, completed
her service-learning at Rockwell Elementary School in the Onondaga Central
School District. In her final evaluation of the program, Ms. Janes wrote that
she strongly agreed that service-learning should continue to be a part of this
course and indicated that she would consider taking another service-learning
class in the future. She commented that she received real world experience
and the topics that she struggled with in the MAT 121 course did not seem
as difficult or foreign to her within the elementary setting. Additionally, she
“would recommend this to anybody, no matter their field of interest! Real
world experience in your future career choice is so rewarding!”
The pre-service educators teach the elementary children and the children
teach the pre-service educators. Furthermore, the over-worked elementary
school teacher has some assistance. It is truly a win/win situation for all
involved. I am proud to report that this is the only math for elementary
pre-service teacher’s class in the area that provides such an experience for
their students. This collaboration has enabled our OCC program to be a
recognized leader for preparing future teachers.
Service-Learning at Onondaga Community College
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