As we dive into an exciting new school year, AISA’s service learning program is also in high gear. We have so many ways for you to engage with service learning in the coming months, and to connect with like-minded teaching peers throughout the region.
As you look at the offerings that are coming up, please let me know if you have any questions. I would be happy to hear from you, and you can reach me at llavender@aisa.or.ke.
1.September student leadership series
Student leaders at your school will have the opportunity to participate in a powerful 3-part series in September with me and Aaron Moniz, co-founder of Inspire Citizens. Sessions will take place on September 6, 20 and 27 from 4-5:30 pm GMT and AISA schools can enroll up to 8 student leaders (grade 5-12) who can commit to joining all three sessions. Please register by September 1st if you have students who would like to participate. They will gain insight into their own leadership strengths and skills, and will also learn about tools and approaches to lead with confidence throughout the school year. This is free for AISA-member schools, and you can register HERE.
2.Unpacking MISO and making research fun: free workshop with CBK Associates on September 21 from 4-5 pm GMT
Cathryn Berger Kaye, Shei Ascencio and I will share ways you can use MISO action research with your students (of all age levels) this year. MISO is a wonderful service learning tool that stands for media, interviews, surveys and observations. If you want to learn more about how to use MISO, register for the workshop HERE. Please register by September 18th to receive an invitation and Zoom link.
3.How to Global Citizen: free webinar with Inspire Citizens on September 14 from 4-5 pm GMT
If you missed the May webinar where Scott Jamieson shared “How to global citizen”, you’re in luck, because he’s offering a second webinar! In this webinar you’ll learn about some strategies and techniques for including global citizenship in your curriculum this year, and you’ll learn more about the Inspire Citizens Global Citizenship Certificate program. Please register HERE by September 11th to receive an invitation and Zoom link.
4.AISA Service Learning Design Team
Last year we launched a new AISA Service Learning Design Team and our 9 members accomplished a lot! We are a passionate and committed team that wants to develop and grow AISA’s service learning program and community. If you’re interested in serving on the 2023/24 Design Team, please complete this form by September 1st.
5.AISA Service Learning Practice Group
Our practice group will meet online three times each semester for peer learning sessions in which we share resources and ideas, discuss challenges, network with each other, and ideate ways of deepening our service learning practices. If you would like to be part of this year’s practice group, please email me at llavender@aisa.or.ke and I will add you to the list! We’ll meet on: September 26, October 31, November 28, January 23, February 20 and March 26 from 4-5 pm GMT.
6. AISA Educators’ Conference, October 7-9, 2023
There are multiple sessions planned for service learning educators at this year’s conference in Nairobi.
We will also have a service learning panel presentation for all conference delegates to kick off the day on October 8th. If you’re a service learning leader or educator, you won’t want to miss these sessions, and I hope we’ll see you in Nairobi. You can learn more about the conference HERE.
7. Our new Service Learning Self-Assessment Tool
The Service Learning Design Team has developed a tool to help AISA educators and leaders assess their service learning programs and set goals for growing and improving. 2023/24 will be a prototyping year with this tool and we’d love your feedback as you use it. Our goal is to help schools understand what sustainable and reciprocal service learning looks like, and to continue to deepen practices and approaches. You can find the self-assessment tool HERE and a guide to using the tool HERE.
Phew! That’s a lot of amazing ways to engage with service learning in the coming months and I can’t wait to see the momentum generated from these excellent opportunities and tools.
Again, if you have any questions, please reach out to me by email (llavender@aisa.or.ke) and I hope to see you in person or online soon!
Written by:
LeeAnne Lavender, AISA Service Learning Program Coordinator.
The Association of International Schools in Africa is dedicated to serving its members throughout Africa. Please let us know if you require additional or specific information, resources and or support, and we will endeavour to assist you as soon as possible.