Collegiate Hosts Service Learning Workshop

The workshop, spearheaded by Collegiate’s Director of Service Learning and Civic Engagement Suzanne Fleming, took place in the Craigie Board Room in Sharp Academic Commons. The all-day session featured service learning professionals from Collegiate as well as Trinity Episcopal School, St. Michael’s School, St. Catherine’s School, Norfolk Collegiate School, The New Community School, Episcopal High School, The Steward School and St. Christopher’s School.

Mrs. Fleming held a similar event 10 years ago with Richmond-based service learning educators and felt it was time to reconvene with colleagues from across the state.

“The whole premise is to get to know each other, because in this realm there aren’t too many people in your school who are in the same role,” she said. “It’s nice to be able to exchange ideas.”

Each attendee was asked to bring an idea or a highlight of his or her respective program to discuss. The group, which featured schools with strong service learning programs and others with new programs, shared challenges, opportunities, ideas and questions that come with their jobs.

“It’s exciting to be able to hear what other people are doing and also help somebody who is just starting out,” Mrs. Fleming said.

From the positive response, she hopes to make the event an annual one.

“When you go to a service learning conference, you leave energized,” Mrs. Fleming said. “I hope that’s what people walk away with today — that they know there are people they can reach out to.”