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Professor SuJin Choi's GTCH 3103 is a Project Based Learning community engaged class where  students craft mathematics and science lesson plans for implementation in Washington DC schools. These lesson plans and their creation are informed by the students’ observations and assistance in middle and high school classrooms, and what they have learned in the GW Teach classroom. As future educators, students gain in-classroom teaching experience throughout the semester, as they implement their lesson plans. Students in Professor Choi’s GTCH 3103 Project-Based Learning, designed full units of connected lesson plans for STEM courses in Washington DC public schools. Students served at 6 different high schools in the District. At these schools, students assisted in and taught various different STEM subjects, including environmental science, algebra, physics, and Biology.

For information about Community Engaged Scholarship at GW:https://go.gwu.edu/cesc

...continue reading "GTCH 3103: Project Based Learning"

Professor Kamellia Keo's GTCH 2003 is a combination of GTCH 1001’s Inquiry Approaches to Teaching and GTCH 1002’s Inquiry-based Lesson Design. In order to gain teaching experience, students in Professor Keo’s class first observe the workings of a middle school classroom, then take those observations and apply them to the creation of a lesson plan. These lesson plans are then utilized in the classroom, with GTCH 2003 students engaging in instruction using the plans and procedures informed by their observations.

For information about Community Engaged Scholarship at GW: https://go.gwu.edu/cesc

...continue reading "GTCH 2003. Step 1 and 2 Hybrid: Inquiry Approaches to Teaching and Lesson Design"

In HSSJ 2170, Professor Linda-Jeanne Mack leads a dynamic Community Engaged course focused on cultivating professional communication skills within the human services field. Through this course, students gain practical experience in engaging professionally with individuals and groups, preparing them for impactful interactions within diverse human service settings. The primary goal of HSSJ 2170 is to help students understand personal and cultural bias and improve their listening skills. Professor Mack emphasizes the importance of effective communication in fostering positive relationships and delivering quality care and support to individuals and communities in need.

 

Professor Mack's course extends beyond theoretical knowledge, encouraging students to reflect on the ethical dimensions of professional communication within the human services field. This reflective approach fosters a deeper understanding of the responsibilities and ethical considerations inherent in serving vulnerable populations. Moreover, HSSJ 2170 emphasizes the value of cultural competence and sensitivity in communication. Students learn to recognize and appreciate diverse perspectives, which is crucial for building trust and rapport in cross-cultural interactions within human services settings. This course prepares students to navigate the complexities of the field with confidence and empathy, positioning them for success in their future roles as compassionate and effective human service professionals.

For information about Community Engaged Scholarship at GW:https://go.gwu.edu/cesc


Fall 2023

Professor:  Linda-Jeanne Mack
Students Reporting: 20
Time Reported:  485

Community Partners:

CP # of students at site
826DC 1
Capital Area Food Bank 1
Children's Defense Fund 1
Foggy Bottom West End Senior Villages 4
Francis on the Hill 1
FRESHFARM FoodPrints 2
GroW Garden 1
GW Black Student Athlete Alliance (BSAA) 1
Horton's Kids 2
Justice Policy Institute 1
Latino Student Fund 4
Little Friends for Peace (LFFP) 1
Martha's Table 1
Miriam's Kitchen 3
The Petey Greene Program 1
Thomson Elementary School 4

Student Comments:

"One of the most relaxing and thoughtful experiences. I Learned to be patient while doing service work. The other volunteers are extremely welcoming and joyful to be around. I am sad that the gardening hours might come to an end when the winter kicks in, but I am excited to volunteer and explore with Freshfarm in different areas." - student working with FreshFarm Foodprints

"I learned to be patient with kids and become aware of how much they take from the world without us knowing. I’ve always been and will continue to be kind to children because they cannot communicate like adults can.  My student and I were able to find common interests and from that, continued to talk about them. I always want the people I’m working with to feel comfortable so I try to serve them as much as I can. I would tie my student’s shoes when needed and get up to get any missing supplies. I also like how the classroom was set up and how many resources, like crayons, markers, stickers, and paper, were available to everyone upon entry. We were free to get and grab anything we wanted at any time."-student serving with LFFP

 

Professor Ryder highlights the importance of GW students and faculty engaging directly with the community, challenging their assumptions, and staying informed about contemporary issues and their evolving complexities. Over the years, Professor Ryder has partnered with more than 20 community organizations, including Life Pieces to Masterpieces, DC Central Kitchen, Free Minds Book Club, and the US Dream Academy, among many others. This engagement not only enriches students' learning experiences but also contributes to a deeper understanding of social issues and community dynamics.
For information about Community Engaged Scholarship at GW:https://go.gwu.edu/cesc


Fall 2023

Professor:   Phyllis Ryder
Students Reporting:  11
Time Reported:175.67

What students learned:

  • Practical application of language, writing, and communication skills in the context of social change
  • Collaborative engagement with community organizations in D.C.
  • Appreciation for the importance of community-building and collective action
  • Research skills
  • Exploration of real-world issues and perspectives within community settings.

Community Partners:

Community Partner # of students at the site
Ethiopian Community Development Council 1
DC Central Kitchen 4
DC YMCA Youth and Government 2
Filexcellence: A Filipino community mentorship and advocacy group 1
For Love of Children 3
Pathways to Housing 1
Thrive DC 1
Ward 2 Mutual Aid 1

Student Comments:

"I engaged in direct service through Pathways to Housing, helping staff arrange their new office space and prepare for the year. The organization is in the process of relocating and expanding, and they needed help setting up for new team members who were joining. I had a lot of fun serving with a small group of volunteers and staff members, and the size of their space and how much there was to do really gave me an idea of how extensive some nonprofits are and how much they do for the community" - Student who served with Pathways to Housing.

"I am now an expert in chopping broccoli and peeling carrots ;)" - student who worked with D.C. Central Kitchen.

"Super informative session about how to serve, highly recommend their reading on serving vs helping: https://www.awakin.org/v2/read/view.php?tid=940"- Student Thrive DC.


All entering students take UW 1020, a four-credit course to enable students to write effectively in various contexts, within the university and beyond. In  Professor Pamela Presser's sections of this course, students seek to deepen their understanding of identity and composition of consciousness through service with organizations within the DC community. Students explore how service shapes their own identities. Students serve with many organizations including: Brotherhood Synagogue; City Gate, Inc.; Bread for the City; Francis on the Hill; Little Friends for Peace; Peace 4 Kids; Reading Partners; and the Smithsonian Transcription Center, etc. 

For information about Community Engaged Scholarship at GW: https://go.gwu.edu/cesc

...continue reading "UW 1020: Writing Lives, Composing Consciousness and Service Learning"