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Institute Reflections by Alumni
Featured Reflections by Alumni
INSTITUTE REFLECTION
Vesting Learners, Facilitating Voice
 By IYAUNNA TOWERY-AJIDUAH, M.Ed.
I remember the night before the first day of the Institute I could not sleep. I had gotten this anxious feeling, the feeling that one might get when they knew “something” was about to happen. I really did not know exactly what to expect. Honestly, what could really happen in just a week’s time? Well, I can now say that a lot can happen: inspiration; intensity; purpose; and transformation. read more |
INSTITUTE REFLECTION
Moving Beyond the Walls in Los Angeles
 By PAULA COHEN
"At CWI's Summer WEST, I met like minded educators who could see beyond the limitations, who thought outside the box, who were willing to ask big questions and delve deep into the answers. It felt like coming home. When we talk about resiliency in young people, feeling like a part of something important and valuable is a crucial piece. Our school has been going through many of the tumultuous transitions that all public schools are going through." read more |
CWI Alumni Comments
“I feel empowered! Thank you! It was wonderful to see and feel the sincerity of the faculty
for service-learning.”
Kathleen Harte, Teacher
The Gillispie School, La Jolla, California
“This will help me to better reflect on my craft and network with likeminded people. “
Luis H. Perales, Chicanos Por la Causa
Tucson, Arizona
“I will always be grateful for my training at CWI’s Summer Institute. Your team of experts in the field of Service-Learning gave me the foundation, and exemplary Best Practices needed to build sustainability for our program.”
Amelia Ross-Hammond, Professor of Music
Coordinator of Service-Learning and Civic Engagement
Norfolk State University, Virginia
"I am embarking on an exciting adventure, armed with new strategies and a refreshed viewpoint of education.CWI’s Institute has helped me refine and strengthen my teaching skills. A wonderful experience!"
Margot Glenos, East Park Elementary Teacher
Moss Point, Mississippi
“I thoroughly enjoyed my time at CWI’s Summer Institute finding it extremely helpful….I found CWI’s manual and templates to be very useful. These will be key tools for making recommendations to my administration in terms of important action steps, and in terms of documenting and evaluation our progress in integrating Service-learning…. I also appreciated the clarity with which place-based education, service-learning and sustainability were linked (as context, strategy, goal).”
Jill Stewart, Coordinator of Community Service
Upper Canada College Prep
French Teacher, Coordinator of Health and Life Skills
Toronto, Ontario
“I can't over state the importance of this event to my vision and enthusiasm for taking Community Arts Service-Learning, way beyond its current status on campus….The right blend of new and reinforcing information with time to reflect and integrate into other thinking is very valuable. The time to plan and the supporting activities is a highlight of the week….The organizational support of the Instructional and Site Level Best Guides will make my planning easier and more productive.”
Julie Metzler, Director
Career Services, Community Arts, and Service-Learning
Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, Missouri
“I have come back to my job, my colleagues and students confident that I will be able to enhance our current service activities by finding entry points for increased learning and relationship building. Thank you—glad to be part of CWI’s Summer Institute.
Chris Haupt, Director of Student Life
Santa Catalina School, Monterrey, CA
“I truly enjoyed myself on many levels .The setting was perfect, the food and fellowship were awesome. The outstanding group of teaching peers were so passionate about their work—inspiring the best in their students, faculty, staff, and community. What a blessing they were to me! I left knowing that I can and should be an agent for change at our academy.”
Mike Street, Teacher
Franklin Road Academy, Nashville, Tennessee
“CWI gave me the opportunity to go deep in my understanding of service-learning and the way it can transform education. The Institute had an important balance of speakers, workshops, and opportunities to learn from the wisdom of my colleagues. This Institute has given me a framework with which to return to my community with concrete ideas on how to implement service-learning.”
Elizabeth Ferguson, Educator
The Lawrenceville School, New Jersey
“This was the best Institute or conference that I have ever attended! I am newly inspired! I will start the school year with many ideas that I am excited to share and try. I also feel I can be clearer in promoting service-learning in my school. Thank you all for your thoughtfulness in planning out such a well rounded and stimulating program.
Terry Yamamoto-Edwards, Science Teacher
Asst. Director, Luke Center for Public Service
Punahou School, Honolulu, Hawaii
“This week has been exhausting and rewarding.....The exchange of ideas has been motivating and encouraging. I will leave with high hopes for making our program one of the best in the southeast.”
Marsha Lucas, Environmental Science/Chemistry Teacher
Savannah Country Day School
Savannah, Georgia
“Really a fantastic experience….Just being in a room of likeminded people is helpful. It’s given me a roadmap for recreating our program. It’s also given me new language for communicating with stakeholders.”
Ann Petit, Director of Service Learning
Vistamar School, El Segundo, CA
The most important component of my experience at CWI’s Institute was how it presented a new view for future service and service-learning..... with tangible examples of how easily that knowledge can translate into a more responsible approach to each program and project we do.
Jini Loos, Service-Learning Coordinator
The Haverford School, Pennsylvania
“Thank you for working through this process with us. I look forward to the opportunities our staff has for a new level of collaboration. The most significant point was having time to problem solve with colleagues about a collaborative focus/vision for our campus.”
Robin Hawley, Teacher
Ashland School District, Oregon
“I LOVED his Institute! As important as the formal teaching was, I learned at least as much from colleagues. I was impressed with the caliber of participant colleagues. The amount and depth of information delivered is outstanding.”
Lori Easterlin, Service-Learning Coordinator
Trinity School of Durham and Chapel Hill
Durham, NC
“It was a highly educational and life-changing experience! Something that will stand out in my mind as a cherished memory! The passion and awareness the faculty (and participants) have for their calling in life was the most significant aspect of the week. The faculty has an excellent and wide range of expertise. They we were tremendously flexible and available.
Barbara Huffstutler, Service Learning Facilitator
Polk County School District, FL
“This was truly an example of people who love and understand learning. How special to have been a part of it. Thank you!”
Erin Ruegg, Teacher—Colegio Jorge Washington
Columbia, South America
“You make the five day commitment worth it” The professional level and organization/preparation certainly distinguish you from other experiences I’ve had. This Institute is a sustainability model in itself. I really thought you hit the mix dead on.”
Leitzel Schoen, Service-Learning Coordinator
The Glenn Institute/Westminster School
Atlanta, GA
"It was a fantastic week on so many levels. I was humbled and energized at the same time. I am already passionate about service and this will help me to support others, get specific support from administrators, and do a better job myself. I feel more “credible” in my support of others and in reaching out to the community. I am passionate about Service Learning. The Institute inspired me. It made me look deeper into how and why Service Learning can be meaningful in any classroom.”
Karen Shorr, Primary Teacher
Brookwood School, Massachusetts
“We had a chance to work on our own ‘stuff’ and get feedback from wise professionals. Thank you for a great week! I look forward to working with you again soon!”
Megan Webster, High School Service-Learning Coordinator
St. George's School of Montreal
Montreal, Quebec
“I came expecting knowledge and I am leaving with passion!
Ray Dumais, Service-Learning Director
Goffstown High School, New Hampshire
“Every one of you is experienced, accomplished, articulate and eager to share with others….very flexible and patient despite great demands on your time and energy. I recommend the Institute. Anyone interested in employing service-learning as a tool would benefit from the theoretical framework, practical applications, examples and individual discussions of project plans.”
Pieranna Pieroni, College Now Director
Brooklyn College, NYC
“What you are doing is wonderful!. The Institute encompassed community building within itself while presenting the knowledge and understanding of service-learning. Working with the Institute’s best practice study groups I was able to share my vision and acquire input from dynamic individuals. Thank you.”
Iyaunna Towery, Director
Empowering Service Through Partnerships, Los Angeles, CA
“This has been the best Institute…everyone involved was interesting with quality characters with great attitudes and skills…. I’m proud to be a small part.” The facilitators were all great—very accomplished and will do anything for you.” I really can’t compare the Institute to anything…. I’m excited to start my 40th year of teaching!”
Courtney Van Kleeck, Social Studies Teacher
Colchester High School, Vermont
“Facilitators had a very high level (and passionate) understanding and practical application. I will use CWI’s Site Level Plan going forward….I really benefited from the week, and I am excited about developing and implementing the Site Level Plan….Encouraged by the colleagues I met and reenergized to deepen the work through co-constructed evaluation and assessment.”
Monica Ways, Director
Community Engagement & Service
Miami University of Ohio
“What I got from the Institute was for more than I hoped for. It was too valuable to have missed. I think of the week in Vermont as the first step in a fantastic adventure. Thank You!”
Mary Drexler, Teacher, Hamilton Terrace High School
Shreveport, Louisiana
“The first important lesson I learned from this institute is the value of just rolling up one’s sleeves and starting…. I came away with excellent resources and inspiration from the group. I am motivated, inspired, and rejuvenated and can’t wait to get to work!
Kathryn Taylor, Teacher
School of the Holy Child,
Rye, New York
“I loved the week! I enjoyed time to build relationships and friendships with these folks a half a world away. CWI’s Institute allows for personal and professional growth which includes significant reflection time and time for deep conversations.
Dan Gaudiano, HS Science Teacher
Punahou School, Honolulu, Hawaii
“…wonderful! I found it delicious to find so many spirited educators who have a wide and deep understanding of the possibility of what education can be.”
Hope Hawkins, Project Manager
Future of Life, Wilmington, Delaware
“This Institute has made me appreciate who I am and who I want to become as an educator and learner…. The whole week was truly inspiring and rewarding—from the people, the information to the food and funn and laughter. Thank you once again for a rewarding week that will stay in my mind and soul forever.”
Krista Zielinski, Spanish Teacher
Wells Memorial School, New Hampshire
“I would recommend the Institute to others because it builds deeper knowledge of service-learning while organically establishing a network of support and knowledge.”
Sara Pearson
American Youth Policy Forum, Washington, DC
“Amazing faculty—insightful, professional, kind and generous—truly ‘into’ it.”The Institute was respectful of our personal voice, allowed time for all to participate while at the same time keeping it focused and productive. This has been great and I will highly recommend to my collagues.
Claire Swaha, Correctional Instructor
Community High School of Vermont
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2012 Summer WEST Information
General Information • 909-480-3966
Faculty—WEST
Workshops—WEST
Registration—WEST
Accommodations—WEST
2012 Summer EAST Information
General Information • 909-480-3966
Faculty—EAST
Workshops—EAST
Registration—EAST
Accommodations—EAST
Institute Sponsors and Partners
Community Works Institute
Shelburne Farms
Orion Magazine
Facing the Future
Loyola Marymount University
The Sustainable Schools Project
Antioch University NE
Johnson State College
CalServe K-12 Initiative
California Department of Education
University of Vermont
ExcelYouthZone
Community Garden Network
Overview of CWI Institutes
Participants attending a CWI Institute enhance their practice and thinking around sustainability, service-learning, and place-based education. We encourage educators to see themselves and their students as change agents.
Institute Reflections by Alumni
CWI PARTNER |
SHELBURNE FARMS
Cultivating a Conservation Ethic
for a Sustainable Future |
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