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Service Learning Reflection Essay
Intro to Public Health (SPHU 1010)
Tulane University
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Daniel Kohen Dr. Cropley SPHU 1010 Service Learning Reflection Essay I am involved in the Public Health 1010 Service Learning component that is in relation with Edible Schoolyard New Orleans. Throughout my time this semester going to my service learning, I have seen how the staff at Edible Schoolyard New Orleans is extremely devoted to the cause – something truly to admire. Edible Schoolyard’s mission is to help children make connections between the food that they eat on a daily basis, and where that food itself comes from. In this way, they are able to control their diets, think about what they eat, and have a healthier diet overall and in turn teach their families, friends, etc. During my time here, I have seen first-hand how excited the teachers are to be teaching these children, and how much these teachers love and cherish their students, care for them, and push and advocate for them to succeed. I have also seen first-hand how much the children enjoy the gardening class I work in, and this program as a whole. I can so clearly see the light in their eyes that shines when we tell them that they will be harvesting plants from our garden today, or will be watering the plants, making smoothies from the fruits or vegetables that grow in the garden, or try exotic Indian spices. As adults, we often times forget about and overlook the simple wonders of the world that are around us every day, like a small garden, and even children. But to these children, this might be the first and only garden they have ever seen, and giving them a chance to cultivate it on their own is very powerful, transformative, and best of all – exciting. Nothing beats the smile that goes on their faces when they find something special buried in the garden, like a bean or a caterpillar. I have learned to appreciate the little things in life that surround me every day, like a
small garden, and have come to understand how much hard work, dedication, tirelessness, comes with creating and maintaining a garden, no matter how small or how big. The teacher (garden educator) I had the privilege of working with was Charlotte Steele. Charlotte is a one of a kind teacher and person. She knows how to control her students, and does a really good job at teaching these students how to control each other, stay focused. Charlotte also highly promotes respect and kindness to one another. I think that the most valuable skill and attribute that a student can learn in grade school is how to be kind to others, and Charlotte does a phenomenal job in instilling this kindness, empathy, and compassion within her students so that they in turn can display these same attributes to one another, to their families, and to other teachers. Charlotte does an even better job inspiring her students and gets them really excited about working in the garden, something you wouldn’t necessarily expect from children, but Charlotte has the power to do that. My job as an Edible Schoolyard New Orleans Volunteer is to help the garden educator facilitate the class, and keep it moving fluidly. Often times, there are students that need a little extra attention or guidance, so my job is to work closely with these students and care for them, hold their hand and make sure they are actively engaged and listening in class. I work every Wednesday between about 10:30 and 1pm at the Phillis Wheatley School with Charlotte. The first hour or so I work with the kindergarten class, and then the second hour I work with the first grade class. My favorite part of working at Phillis Wheatley is the kids I get to work with. I love that every week on Wednesday when I return, the students remember my name and who I am, and are extremely enthusiastic and excited to see me. I can tell that they enjoy having me there, and that they’re fascinated by how alike we are, yet how different. I often get the question “so how old are you?” and I say “I’m 19 years old!” to which they reply, in absolute and utter
One of the greatest challenges I have faced all semester is how to enforce a rule, without being too harsh. I am not someone who tends to yell or get mad, and it is often hard for me to be harsh on someone because I don’t ever want to hurt their feelings. I am always amazed at the way that Charlotte and her colleagues like Sienna control their classes and students, but also use specific words to speak to their students respectfully yet with authority. Finding that balance is hard for me, but I think it comes with experience, which clearly they do not lack. I think that it is important for every student at Tulane to do service learning because it allows Tulane students to become more open-minded and knowledgeable about the city they live in, and give back. Tulane is very much a bubble in and of its own, and we as Tulane students often are stuck on campus, thinking about only ourselves. In my opinion, it is important to gain the experience of a different side of New Orleans, which is completely unlike Tulane. This volunteer opportunity has taught me these lessons, and has truly been an eye-opening experience for me. Besides for this opportunity, and the opportunity I have to work with Tulane EMS and New Orleans EMS every week, I have never done something so eye-opening and transformative that truly helps people directly.
Service Learning Reflection Essay
Course: Intro to Public Health (SPHU 1010)
University: Tulane University
