The Skillman Foundation generously funded the pilot year of this innovative teacher training initiative for metropolitan Detroit educators in August of 2005. The Institute is designed to improve the academic performance of students by developing the ability of teachers to use service learning as a tool for integrating diversity education into the classroom and establishing a respectful, inclusive culture within the school.

Service learning is a rigorous academic, hands on and structured teaching/learning method that connects curriculum to community needs. By engaging students socially and civically in the fabric of the community, service learning provides a broader context for understanding diversity while building constructive relationships among students, between teachers and students, and with the community.

All Project Schools receive ongoing technical and resource support during the school year. Mentors work with faculty to develop service learning activities that relate to classes they will teach. Schools also receive follow up support for putting principles into practice, and to insure effective data collection for assessment and evaluation. To assist with program implementation and evaluation, participating teachers receive a “Youth Program Evaluation Toolkit” as well as access to online survey tools and data analysis support. At the end of the program year participating teachers are provided the compilation of plans created by the Institute participants.

The Institute curriculum covers diversity awareness, cultural competency, service learning theory and practice. This is a rich and rewarding experience. The Michigan Roundtable for Diversity & Inclusion staff and consultant team is excited to be working with schools on this project.

LINC Leadership Institute Project Schools for Fall 2005

Chadsey High School Denby High School Ferndale High School Harper Woods Schools Howell High School Kettering High School

Munford High School Pershing High School Southeastern High School South Lake High Schools Swartz Creek Schools

For information on the Summer August 14-19, 2006 LINC Leadership Institute please call Deb Williamson, LINC Program Director at 313-567-6225 x 107

 

LINC Leadership Insitute Project Workshop Dates

November 19, 2005	LINC Diversity Summit (Registration fee waived.)
A.M. Workshop	"Making the most of your Service Learning Program using Evaluation" Motivate students and develop "buy in" from administorators and the community. (Will include instructions for using online tool developed for LINC Institute Project teachers.) "Youth Program Evaluation ToolKit (word document)." Table of contents Available here.
P.M. Workshop	"Raising Money!" Need money for supplies, busses, etc.? Bring your service learning porject and list of needs. We'll help you write a proposal and identify sources for funding.
January 26 & 27, 2006	LINC Institute Follow-up Seminar School teams are invited to bring additional teachers from your school.
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.	Institute participants will reconvene to review accomplishments, challenges, obstacles; participate in "hot topics" discussions and workshops; school teams will share best paractices. Click here for the online Service Learning Unit Plan Template (word document). Click here for example Unit from Summer 2005 Institute (word document).
February 16 & 17, 2006	Institute on Service Learning U of M Flint "The Places We Live: Student Engagement in Diverse Communities" Michigan Roundtable for Diversity & Inclusion's LINC Leadership Institute will host a clinic on service learning and diversity education at this conference. This is a great opportunity for you to advance your professional development by helping us with this presentation. More discussion on this at the January Follow Up Seminar.

Call Deb Williamson with questions. 313-567-6225 x 107, dwilliam@Michigan Roundtable for Diversity & Inclusion.org