Ballou High School ​Visual Arts Department
2017-2018
  • Welcome
  • Ms. Bonavia
    • Educational Philosophy
    • Grading Philosophy
    • Master's Portfolio
    • TAS Report 2016 DCPS
    • T.A.S. Report 2016-2017
    • Resume
  • Daily Blog
  • Flipped Classroom
    • Course Syllabi
    • Art Design & Foundations Art-A05
    • Instructional Design Plan for Foundations of Art Ballou H.S.
    • Art Essential Questions
    • Art Vocabulary
  • Student Gallery
    • Lesson Plans 2016-2017
    • DCPS Scope and Sequence
    • Critiques/Reflections
    • Rubrics for Evaluation
  • AP Studio Art
  • Teacher Work
  • Press Releases
  • Contact

Teenagers & Volunteering

6/30/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
Hello, Tigers! Tonight I want to discuss with you what  I believe the benefits of volunteering are. All of you are required to complete at least 30 hours of community service prior to graduation. Other than being told that this is a graduation requirement, very little is explained to you as to why you are required to volunteer and what you will benefit from volunteering.

So let me first give you some insight as to how this requirement came to be. President George W. Bush introduced a new recognition program to our country during his State of The Union Address in 2001 entitled, The President's Volunteer Service Award. This program was originally created to honor men and woman across our country who have volunteered hundreds, if not thousands of volunteer hours over their lifetime. After 9/11 President Bush saw the need to renew national interest in volunteering by asking all Americans to help their neighbors by volunteering their time, money and talents. This initiative by President Bush trickled down to cities, towns and then eventually schools. Soon, all high schools required their graduates to complete mandatory community service hours for graduation.

So, there we have how it all started, now let's discuss how you can get the most out of your community service endeavors. I believe that when you volunteer in your community you are 'stepping outside' of yourself for a brief moment and you are focused on the needs of others. This kind of selfless service will increase your social awareness and allow you to see and work alongside people from many walks of life, and possibly cause you to wrestle with the questions of power and privilege. It also puts you in contact with other volunteers who may be more socially conscience and possibly create in you a larger 'world view'.

Community service does not offer you (monetary) payment  but it does offer you an opportunity to have priceless life experiences. Participating in community service may lead you into a career path that you may not have chosen if it wasn't for your volunteer experience. Research has shown that teenagers who are involved with community service tend to be more civic and socially minded people as they grow older.

But keep in mind one important thing about service. Altruism can be a very tricky thing. You must keep your motivations in check by asking yourself, "Am I helping you for your sake, or because it makes me feel generous"? Be careful that your good deeds in life go unseen at times so that you know you are truly doing good for the sake of others, not for the world to see and praise you.

I feel that teaching is a very altruistic career that is self-sacrificing. I will never become rich with this career and yet when I check my heart I know that what I do is not for monetary gain, but a way of making an impact on young lives and in turn making my community a better place and then ultimately my country.

We will continue this discussion in the days to come. I will tell you all about my many experiences volunteering in my life and how those experiences changed my world view. Contemplate my words tonight. All my love, Ms. B.
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Donna Bonavia

    I am an art educator and  a professional artist. I write this blog to guide my students in  (SEL) social, emotional, and academic development. S.E.L. is the District of Columbia Public School's priority because we believe that we must educate the whole child.


    Picture
    Yale National Initiative
    Fellowship 2017


    2017-DCPS Standing Ovation recognition Highly Effective Teaching

    Picture2016-DCPS Standing Ovation recognition Highly Effective Teaching
    ​


    Picture
    DCPS Capital Commitment
    Fellow
    ​2015-Present

    Picture
    2015 Teacher of The Year Blanche Ely High School

    Picture
    2015 Civic Recognition Award Winner

    Picture
    2015 Greater Pompano Beach Chamber of Commerce
    Picture
    Picture
    2015 Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction The National Society of High School Scholars
    Picture
    Teacher of the Year 2008
    Picture
    Teacher of the Year 2006-2007
    Picture
    Disney American Teacher Award Nominee "Creativity In Teaching" 2001
    Picture
    Teacher of the Year 1999
    Picture
    Teacher of the Year 1998
    Picture
    Outstanding Service-2011-2012
    Picture
    Outstanding Service-2010-2011
    Picture
    Outstanding Service-2009-2010
    Picture
    Outstanding Service-2008-2009
    Picture
    Outstanding Service-2007-2008

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    October 2019
    September 2019
    November 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    May 2017
    December 2016
    March 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014

    Creative Commons License
    This work by Donna Bonavia is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
    Based on a work at www.msbonavia.com.

Location

District of Columbia Public Schools

     "The years 2012 to 2017 will be a time of dramatic progress for the District of Columbia Public Schools. With this strategic plan, we recommit DCPS to providing every student with a safe, academically challenging, and inspiring learning experience. 
     DCPS’ five-year strategic plan, A Capital Commitment, provides a roadmap for building DCPS into a high quality, vibrant school district that earns the confidence of our community. The plan defines an overarching purpose as well as five goals that will guide DCPS’ work through 2017."

Contact Us

Subscribe

Join my mailing list today!
Join Now