Teacher Service Learning
Purpose
The Youth department of the St Vincent de Paul Society is proud to offer a service learning program for teachers and other school faculty. The purpose of this program is to provide a solid grounding in understanding the complexities around homelessness along with other social justices associated with people experiencing homelessness. This program is underpinned by the Society’s Vincentian charism, values, mission and vision and call to put faith into action.
It is recommend that schools who wish to run a Street Retreat for their students, also offer this service learning program for their teachers. Our experience has shown that students gain more from their own experience when those accompanying them have already had the opportunity to deepen their knowledge and understanding.
Program Information
The teacher’s service learning program is available to run at any time during the year, and is open to teachers and faculty over the age of 18 who are interested in deepening their understanding of homelessness and other social injustices. This program includes an introduction to homelessness and social injustices such as poverty and social exclusion, plus personal reflection at home.
Each service learning program is limited to a maximum of 15 participants, with a minimum of 5 participants required. Additional programs can be offered where needed. This program can be tailored to meet the needs of your school and staff.
Program Outcomes
This program aims to give teachers and school faculty a rich and meaningful experience by;
- Developing a deeper understanding of issues faced by people experiencing homelessness
- Identifying the importance of language in breaking down barriers
- Challenging commonly held stereotypes
- Identifying other social injustices associated with homelessness
- Identifying what homelessness is and who it affects
- Understanding people’s stories and learning how to respond with empathy and compassion
- Responding in solidarity with people experiencing homelessness
- Partner with community organisations that assist in supporting people experiencing homelessness
- Reflect in community
- Creating pathways for teachers to identify how they can bring this learning to their classroom
SCHOOL ENQUIRY FORM
