The Lena Archuleta School hosted a New Jersey Association of Independent Schools (NJAIS) professional development conference on Feb. 7 for service learning coordinators and global educators. More than 40 school leaders from around the state attended the program titled Inspiring Community and Belonging through Service Learning and Global Education Programs.
The day-long experience brought together service learning coordinators and global educators to learn, reflect, and grow. With an emphasis that NJAIS schools teach their students the responsibility that comes with the privilege gained from a great education, this experience was designed to bring awareness and authenticity to the service and travel programs afforded to our communities.
After check-in and breakfast in the Berry Performing Arts Center lobby, guests attended a panel presentation of Solidarity, Not Charity: Inspiring Community and Belonging through Service Learning and Global Education Programs. The program continued with concurrent sessions including Building a Global Mindset, The World is Our Classroom: Re-imagining Curriculum Through a Global and Experiential Learning Program. Global Citizenship Begins at Home, Owning the Process: Student Participation in Travel Planning and Preparation, and Setting Up Exchanges for Success. Participants concluded the day with an "unconference" which was time set aside for collaboration and generative conversations about the work being done in NJAIS member schools in the area of global education.
“When educators are able to gather together with a common purpose for an exchange of ideas, best practices, and networking, all of our school communities benefit,” said Nicole Nolan, LA Director of Global Scholars and Community Outreach, who moderated the panel discussion and organized the event. “As global educators who incorporate service learning into our programming, it is essential to have continued conversations and connection for the success of our students as we develop them into global citizens.”