News From the Nest-Spotlight on Learning: Connection and Involvement
Spotlight On Learning
Community Connection and Involvement
Presented by: Adrienne Leclerc
Subject: FOODS 11/12
DRIVING QUESTION
Providing students with the opportunity to support and contribute to school improvement events and giving students experiences to learn, share, and celebrate with each other and our school community.
TEACHER DESCRIPTION and / or REFLECTION:
Honestly, as a teacher, I’ve been finding it harder and harder to get students excited about contributing to the greater good of the community without expecting to be rewarded for their efforts. Before I became a teacher, I had the opportunity to live in a Hindu Ashram (this was before "Eat, Pray, Love" was a thing). The ashram required all residents to practice selfless service at least once a day. The ashram community called it Karma Yoga, a form of yoga that helps keep the community functioning. Members were required to perform services without seeking acknowledgment for their efforts.
I’ve always integrated the idea of Karma Yoga into my classroom and made it part of my pedagogy. However, I’ve noticed that recently, students are becoming more reluctant to participate, so I’ve had to be very creative in how I present the idea of doing things for others without expecting anything in return. This year, I presented it as an opportunity to build their resume and even provided written examples of how students could add their experiences to their resumes.
Students had three opportunities this year to participate in various catering components for our school community: Elementary School Hot Lunch, catering for Mouat’s Golden Jubilee event planning, decorating, and catering for the academic banquet. Opportunities like these have helped instill work ethic, pride, and a sense of community in the classroom.
STUDENT REFLECTIONS:
In Food Studies 12, we got to create a menu, cook, and show off our food at the big academic banquet. Mrs. Leclerc set us up with guidelines to find recipes that were easy to make ahead, didn't cost much, and looked good to everyone from kids to seniors. We spent the whole week getting ready for the event. I actually got to go and it felt amazing to see everyone enjoying what we made. It was extra cool when Ms. Rajabally came by to thank us in person.