A Career In Civic Engagement

The focal point of current educational trend in the United States is on preparing the leaders of tomorrow (National Task Force, 2012). Student success has been expanded to include civic responsibility which is a dimension of the college experience largely ignored until recently (Upcraft, Gardner, & Barefoot, 2005). The Department of Education has taken this charge and developed the National Task Force for Democratic and Civic Engagement. This initiative places developing civic responsibility as a national priority based on the tendency of young people who are often too caught up in ‘narrow collegiate worlds’ of their own existence to understand the larger role of being a contributing member of society (Upcraft, Barefoot & Gardner, 2005). Thus, engagement as a participating citizen living in community is frequently beyond the scope of young student leaders in college. Due to this, the government has renewed its interest in creating civic-minded young people prepared to advocate for change. This has led the charge for a civic engagement initiative nationwide.

Education is important as we develop a society of lifelong learners, but budget cuts for schools should not be at the expense of art programs. All students have unique learning styles and ways they best absorb information. To compromise that process is destructive to the success of their overall learning experience. “The Sanctuary of School” makes the reader aware of the many individuals who go through the public-school system. Barry’s essay advocates the need for funding of art programs and the supportive, creative outlets they

During college, students should allow for open-mindedness, allow the suspension of everyday norms and judgements, and give a standing to everyone. Art offers escape from the silencing that comes in a “normal” society, making it possible to face highly charged and taboo subjects. Written dialogues can also strip away the armor we think we need to protect our place in the

When deciding what topic I wanted to write for my Civic Engagement Project, I already had in mind that I wanted something that most of us are not use to seeing nowadays. Many of us compare courts with punishment, but what if there was a court that did the opposite? When I was starting my research on the different courts we have here in Florida, I came across Drug Courts. The more I read up on drug courts, the more I became fascinated and intrigued. Drug courts do not aim to "PUNISH”, but yet to provide treatment to drug abusers. This kind of court believes that everyone deserves a second chance, that extra push. During my research, I was interested in learning a few things. Such things I 'd like to learn about this kind of

As a recent graduate of Iowa State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Art and Design focusing on art history and education, the position as Education Coordinator and Advisor at Buena Vista University captured my attention as an opportunity to work with students through educational programming. As a recent college student, I provide a valuable perspective on academic advising through my own personal experiences. I have learned many advisors lack in truly connecting and catering to each student’s individual situation and needs. Buena Vista University, a relatively small area college, provides an opportunity to fully connect and provide personal one-on-one experience all students deserve. Subsequently, students gain the absolute most out of their college education. A large part of my career goals entail helping students of all ages engage, thrive and connect in their own individualized way.

It was amazing to hear about Kent’s accomplishments that came from his own ideas. I learned from Kent that small groups of people can organize and motivate others to fix a problem in the community. Like the figure drawing session, the concept started with a few people and snowballed into a big event. Kent created a place for community art education. Through collaboration Kent’s original idea evolved into something greater that fit more needs in the community. I learned from Kent’s presentation that it is important to be flexible, and let events like the drawing session grow. When I am teaching I want to remember how Kent changed so much in the Lawrence community with only a few people to help at first. Creating an environment for students to learn community art can be done even with minimal support in the beginning. If I have passion for my idea I too can change my community to be a place I want to

At the beginning of this summer, I embarked on a journey through history by going to the Carnegie Museum of Art and Natural History in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The museum is one of my favorites because of its variety of exhibits of history in both science and art. With every trip, the museum always has something new to offer. Going to the museum felt like a completely new experience with the new perspective I have coming from this class. There were many parts of history to look at, but the ones that stood out to me the most was their exhibit on Ancient Egypt. I thoroughly enjoyed the exhibit’s information on the artifacts and the funerary practices of this ancient

Civic Engagement is a necessary focus that many young adults overlook. It is about learning and knowing how to fight for one’s belief or a noble cause, and trying to bring about change to a social or political condition (Parisella, 2013). The Washington Center’s Civic Engagement Framework required some components such as attending two modules that addressed issues of public concern and strategies for citizen participation, a public policy dialogue, and direct service. The first two served as an educational purpose to teach students how to get involved and finally the direct service allowed the opportunity for students to take action and volunteer. Therefore, I wanted my civic engagement to relate to the hazardous things that humans are exposed

I would like to nominate Dr. Johnson for the Civic Engagement Award based on her inspiring vision of service in Women’s and Gender Studies. Most recently, she organized the 7th biennial Bodies of Knowledge Symposium on the topic of queer kinship and queer community building. Her work in LGBT programming on campus is important for students and community members who identify as LGBT and for others who want to know more about it, especially in South Carolina where this identity can be controversial. She is also teaching a Girls Studies course this semester that includes service learning so that students can learn about the subject in class and apply what they’ve learned by working with young teenage girls in Spartanburg. This past fall, she organized

My work with the Freehold Public Library has been a huge part of my life, as I have volunteered there since I was 12 years old. I have grown up with the library, and my experiences with the library, whether it as a volunteer or a customer, are very important to me. I started volunteering for summer programs at the library. I then joined the Teen Library Committee and did service projects for the community as a part of it throughout the year. I also encouraged my brother and a friend to join the Teen Library Committee with me. As a part of this group, I have been able to do service projects for a wide variety of causes, such as making food for a local soup kitchen, making dog treats to donate, and making cards for those stationed overseas or in the hospital. In 8th grade, as a part of National Junior Honor Society, I wrote a grant for the library to expand their young adult collection. I spent months talking to Mrs. Kathy about the public library system and the issues that this library faces

Since the 1990s, service-learning and volunteerism have become pervasive throughout higher education. Many campuses now have a center for civic engagement and have hired service-learning coordinators. Large organizations and initiatives have dedicated themselves to promoting and enhancing engagement research and practices. We even have engaged campus awards and designations at the national and state level. Civic engagement is a professional field of study and practice and it is our best hope for bringing in a discussion about sense of community.

Community life and civic engagement are a huge responsibility of citizens, although it is not required by citizens, it is an important aspect of a proper citizen. Residents of a community have the constant responsibility of making the society around them reflect an advance in the eminence of lives in the community. The simple duty of any citizen is to give to the common good. Civic responsibilities are achieved by volunteering and choice. Volunteering, involving in positive organizations and aids, or tutoring people in certain subjects, are all ways that people can subsidize to the good of the community. Small deeds that seem to prosper someone in some way or the other is still a way of helping. To learn something from the assistance that one does to another, the deed does not have to be big, as long as the person providing the assistance is doing it with a good heart they can always acknowledge a lesson. Compassion and love is necessary in helping others. When people have the opportunity to help others they may not always get a gift in return, sometimes they may not even get a reply back. This is when the person has to realize that the purpose of helping someone is not for the thank you or the gift, but is for the satisfaction of their soul, betterment of the other, and the ability to learn a lesson. Assisting people needs to be done in a thoughtful and effective way for it to create a lasting impact on his/her self and on society itself.

This course has made me well versed in the teaching modules needed to become an effective teacher in the twenty-first century.Teachers have dual responsibilities in this generation. Teaching has evolved from simply making sure that the students are learning the subject matter of preparing them for survival in the 21st Century Learning. This necessitates engagement in Digital Participatory Culture, and the importance of Civic Engagement. Students are entering an age where they are being asked to possess more skills than ever to compete for positions against other students around the world.

Civic engagement refers to the ways in which citizens participate in the life of a community in order to improve conditions for others or to help shape the community’s future. It means promoting the quality of life in a community, through both political and non-political processes.

Art is a great way for developing kids to attain this. By exploring empathy and emotional expression, learning about art, introspection, and looking at ideas from multiple angles children will develop the emotional and cognitive tools and connection making abilities they need to operate within society as adults.(Wolkowicz, T. 2017) I propose an individualistic ‘one on one’ approach in contrast to modern education. With mentorship, young students can receive attention in the areas they need most, this paired with artistic expression and artistic education will provide young students with the ability to live “live lives they have reason to value” (Maguire, Cindy. 2012) This is why I argue that the Fairbanks area should should start a mentorship program using art to facilitate the developmental needs of kids.