Each year, Need in Deed seeks to expand our teacher network by training educators interested in implementing our My Voice framework for student-driven, service-learning into their classrooms. In order to find interested teachers, we typically visit schools in person, sharing student outcomes and the support Need in Deed offers as they engage in our process with their students.
With schools physically closed, we were unable to do our usual outreach, fortunately, with the the help of our existing network members and our friends at the School District of Philadelphia we were able to recruit 34 new Need in Deed network members!
We were then faced with the challenge of how to conduct our annual summer institute virtually. Our institute is an intense and highly interactive 2-day training. It serves as an introduction to our framework and pedagogy surrounding service-learning.
This year we stretched the training over 4 mornings with teachers working individually, in small groups, and together as a cohort.
We even hosted a community partner, Need in Deed teacher, friend, and Instructional Coach in Trauma Awareness and Informed Instructional Practices, Ericka Morris.
Teachers told us how valuable the training was, one saying, “I felt that the training was extremely thought out and practical in order to implement the material and lessons beginning day 1 of the school year.”
Another said, “I’d like to thank you for being supportive, compassionate and understanding of the needs of our students and of the teachers as well.”
While we may be unsure of what the school year will look like in September, we ARE sure that our new network members are amazing and we are looking forward to the projects they will complete with their students.
