Community Schools Research and Practice. | Our Lives, Our World. Teaching and Learning About Human Rights Alongside Youth. | Intersections of Our Homes, Schools and Communities (Spring 2022) | Intergroup Dialogue on Race and Migration (Fall 2021) | MakerBoards: A Return to Play | Intersections of Our Homes, Schools and Communities | French Language Lessons (Spring 2021)| Legal Challenges: Local Interventions in the Criminal-Legal System | Life in a Buddhist Monastery | Writing Medicine | Fundamentals of Grant Writing (Fall 2020) | Music for Empowerment | Intergroup Dialogue on Race and Migration. (Spring 2020)| French Language Lessons (Spring 2020) | Fundamentals of Grant Writing (Spring 2020) | Class Without Walls in Nature
[EDUC/AFRS] 215, Intersections of Our Homes, Schools and Communities, Spring 2021
INSTRUCTOR: Professor Erin McCloskey
THEMATIC CLUSTER: Education
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course draws on varied and rich experiences of all participants to read about, share and discuss the ways our homes, schools, and communities intersect to create experiences for youth. We discuss the benefits and drawbacks of different school structures and different behavioral and instructional approaches. We explore how school structures such as standardized testing, tracking, and curriculum design influence students’ experiences in and out of school. Throughout the course, we grapple with the continued significance of socially differentiating factors such as race, gender, class, sexuality, dis/ability, and citizenship in shaping public policy and youth’s experiences.
DEVELOPMENT TIMELINE:
Fall 2018: Worked with Dean Chenette, Molly Shanley, Dean Gambino of DCC (now acting president), and Cathleen Greenan (Assoc. Prof of Psychology) to develop a course at the Dutchess County Jail. This class was designed to bring VC students into the jail
Fall of 2020:During my sabbatical, I taught at DCJ to get experience working at the jail. This was supposed to be yearlong but covid disrupted this. Needed to figure out a new approach and reached out to Carlos Valencia at Exodus to gauge his interest in a course that would bring VC students and Exodus clients together.
June 2020: reached out to President Bradley and Dean Hoynes about the possibility of offering ‘special student status’ to participants from Exodus. Received the go ahead.
Summer 2020: reached out to Carlos Valencia to let him know I had permission to offer this class.
Summer/Fall 2020: designed course, reached out to Dutchess Community College, gathered course materials
Spring 2021: created the application for Vassar Students. Reviewed and interviewed potential students. Selected 7 students to participate.
Winter 2021: met consistently with Carlos Valencia to develop structure and discuss rollout of class. Carlos identified potential students and Erin talked with them by phone.
Winter 2021: submitted grant to CEIH. Received funds to purchase materials. Worked with Shelby Seipp to order laptops and headphones for all Exodus students. Used Dean of the Faculty support to buy books and supplies for Exodus students.
OCEL’S ROLE:
The OCEL office made the introduction to Poughkeepsie Children’s Cabinet. Lisa Kaul participated in the first meeting with me to make introductions. Lisa also first introduced me to Carlos Valencia during a summer PIA. This made it easier to reach out to him when the Dutchess County Jail class was canceled.
PARTNER:
Exodus Transitional Community, Inc.
FORMAT:
With the exception of the first class, each class involves students interacting with each other (I’m distinguishing students by referring to them as ‘on campus’ students and ‘off campus’ students). On and off-campus students met through Zoom. They worked in small writing groups to provide each other with feedback.
NUMBER OF STUDENTS: 7 Vassar students, 6 from Exodus, 13 total
CREDIT VALUE: 0.5
FUNDS REQUESTED FOR:
- Guest speakers
- Supplies for virtual learning
REFLECTIONS:
PRESS: 13 Students, 6 of Them Formerly Incarcerated, Share Stories in Unique Education Course
Exodus Transitional Community holds commencement Tuesday May 18, 2021, in the City of Poughkeepsie. These photos were taken off Vassar College campus, health protocols in accordance with municipal guidelines. [Photo by Karl Rabe]
Exodus Transitional Community holds commencement Tuesday May 18, 2021, in the City of Poughkeepsie. These photos were taken off Vassar College campus, health protocols in accordance with municipal guidelines. [Photo by Karl Rabe]
Exodus Transitional Community holds commencement Tuesday May 18, 2021, in the City of Poughkeepsie. These photos were taken off Vassar College campus, health protocols in accordance with municipal guidelines. [Photo by Karl Rabe]