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

Think Globally, Act Locally....Volunteering.

6/29/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
Hello, Tigers. It is about time I get back to writing things of value to you. The last few posts were just random photos and thoughts, but tonight I want to write to you about the benefits of volunteerism.

Today in church, I heard my Pastor tell the congregation to, "Think globally but act locally". Hmm, what a great phrase. My church is beginning their annual drive to collect backpacks and fill them with school supplies for needy students for the upcoming school year. What a wonderful project for the congregation and a true blessing for needy families and teachers who have to supply their classrooms every year.  

But my Pastor's words, "Think globally, but act locally" really touched my heart in that I feel strongly that this is how we should think and act. I can't begin to tell you how many times in my 31 year teaching career that I was asked to donate money for my students (and adults) to go overseas on a missions trip to 'serve the poor'. Yes, this is a nice gesture of course, but so often I would think to myself, "instead of raising $1,000 for a flight and hotel  accommodations to South America, Haiti or the Bahamas to serve the poor and needy, why don't you use that $1,000 and walk out your front door and serve the poor?" Maybe not so glamorous, but what is the goal; to travel or serve the needy?

I had two teacher friends that raised money to go overseas to serve on a missions trip; one went to Italy the other to Australia. To be honest with you, I felt as though I contributed to their vacation, not a mission trip.

Every morning when I drive to school I see the homeless, hanging out on the corner. Men come to my window begging for money...you know what it is like in South Florida, you know what it is like in our school neighborhood.  Florida has one of the largest homeless communities in all of the U.S. mainly due to our weather. It is easier to live homeless in our climate than it is up north.

All of you have mandatory community service hours to complete before graduation. This is a requirement given to you but very little is mentioned about why it is given to you and how you can personally benefit from fulfilling this graduation requirement. So for the next two or three blog posts, I am going to give all of you my opinion on how you will personally benefit from volunteering. It is my hope that after listening to my thoughts on volunteerism, you will not only glean more from your volunteer work, but you will also remain someone who will, "think globally, but act locally" all your life! Enough for now, I will begin tomorrow evening. You guys are great kids and I see so much good in you, and as a teacher (an encourager of students) I want to uplift you and encourage you to be the best that you can be! Tomorrow, I will begin the discussion.
Good night Tigers, 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