Cathryn Berger Kaye - Service Learning in Schools - LA

The Leading, Language and Literature Podcast

In this episode I’m talking with Cathryn Berger Kaye. Cathy is president of CBK Associates, ABCD Books and travels globally to provide professional development on the likes of service learning, 21st century competencies and environmental sustainability.

She is the author of 'The Complete Guide to Service Learning', 'Going Blue' and 'Make a Splash!', which are student guides to Protecting Our Oceans, Lakes, Rivers, & Wetlands. In addition she has also authored a range of books for the ‘How to Take Action’ series, which is aimed at guiding students through the issues of hunger, homelessness and climate change to name but a few.

We discuss:

1. How Cathy reflects in her own practice and to what extent can we expect students to follow our example when it comes to reflecting well

2. The MISO method and elements of it which younger students typically need more guidance

3. How and why to combine units and work towards a service goal at some stage within the curriculum

4. Direct, indirect, research and advocacy service styles and the advice Cathy would give in terms of the practicalities of establishing direct opportunities for service

5. The dangers of 'voluntourism' and how to develop an asset based mindset in students doing service

6. Whether schools need to see the way they interact with local service and international service on a sliding scale in terms of age or experience

7. And finally, what advice Cathy would give educators who aren't sure where to start when it comes to adapting the curriculum to integrate service

Thanks again to Cathy who is nothing short of a legend in this field for speaking to me today. I was overjoyed to have some time to pose the questions, which you may pick up on through my sometimes overzealous phrasing of the questions. All of Cathy’s books mentioned will of course be linked in the show notes and I’d strongly encourage you to consider these first when developing your knowledge of service in the curriculum.

Find out more about the online course "Getting Started: Service Learning and Global Citizenship Foundations" here. Designed by Cathy and two of her associates, Shei Ascencio and LeeAnne Lavender, this is a dynamic way to advance your understanding and turn ideas into action!

If you want to be kept up to date on when educational chat like this happens, then be sure to subscribe to the podcast and/or follow me on Twitter @chrisjordanhk

Links:

Cathy’s email

Cathy’s books

The Purpose and Process of Reflection: Helping students write meaningful CAS reflections (article)