Service-Learning Develops Agency- Teachers Honor Teachers
- Kathy Frazier, Orange High School
Through Service-Learning, students in Jean Metzger’s classes at Moreland Hills Elementary School develop lifelong communication, collaboration, critical thinking, problem-solving, and creative thinking skills.
“Jean Metzger models the components of deep learning and excellence in teaching by inspiring her students to wonder, analyze, think creatively, and act on their ideas.”
-Kathy Frazier
Step into Jean Metzger's 4th-grade gifted resource room at Moreland Hills Elementary School, and you will observe her students engaged in Creative Problem Solving. Taking to heart Nelson Mandela's wise words, "We can change the world and make it a better place. It is in our hands to make a difference," Jean goes above and beyond to empower her students through Service-Learning. Her students have tackled community issues by combating local hunger, fostering creativity in their school, addressing senior citizen loneliness, enhancing children's mental health, promoting kindness, and developing environmental learning experiences on the school campus. Through Service-Learning, Jean instills a sense of purpose and responsibility in her students, encouraging them to be compassionate and responsible citizens. They also learn about empathy, teamwork, and the power of making a difference.
Students in Jean's class receive Personalized Learning Plans at the beginning of each class. These plans serve as a compass, guiding them toward their goals by providing valuable feedback on their achievements and outlining their specific learning targets for the day ahead. After selecting a community issue meaningful to them, Jean challenges her students to complete each step of the Creative Problem Solving Process, encouraging deep learning as they research, create innovative solutions, identify the best solution, and create a detailed action plan.
Deep Learning
1. Research: Students analyze their team-selected issue from various perspectives, identify challenges, and develop a Problem Statement.
2. Creating Solutions: Unlocking the power of imagination, Jean encourages her students to wonder and create endless possibilities relevant to solving their Problem Statement. She guides her students by teaching them creative thinking tools and inspires them to push the boundaries and develop original solutions.
3. Development: In this crucial stage of the Creative Problem Solving process, students learn how to write Criteria so that they can analyze and evaluate their solutions to identify the Best Solution to help solve their community issue.
4. Implementation: Students proceed to chart their course by developing an elaborate Action Plan that outlines their best solution and path to success.
The Outcome of Deep Learning and Excellent Teaching - “I Remember the Time”
In future years, as students reflect on their educational learning experiences, their memories of working with Jean Metzger and learning the Creative Problem Solving Process will undoubtedly stand out. Under Jean’s guidance, they discovered that they could put their ideas into action and make a difference in the lives of others in their community. Gandhi said, “The future belongs to what we do in the present.” By immersing students in Service-Learning, Jean accomplishes much more than teaching the required standards but inspires students to learn the steps of the Creative Problem Solving Process, a lifelong skill.
Professional Development
Jean's dedication to excellence in teaching extends beyond her gifted resource room as she collaborates with classroom teachers at Moreland Hills Elementary to design challenging lesson plans and works with students to provide deep learning through enrichment opportunities to extend the curriculum.
She shares her expertise, inspiring deep learning and excellence in teaching through presentations at school workshops, the Ohio Association of Gifted Children, and the National Association of Gifted Children Conferences. She also is an adjunct professor teaching Instructional Processes for Gifted Education at Kent State University. The National Association for Gifted Children has published an article to share her Service-Learning strategies.
Jean is a Gifted Education Specialist who works with the first and fourth grade classroom teachers and students at Moreland Hills Elementary School in the Orange City Schools. She provides enrichment learning experiences in classroom subjects and also teaches the students identified as gifted in a Resource Room setting.
Teachers Honor Teachers
The Martha Holden Jennings Foundation launched a new program in fall 2022 inviting teachers to recognize a colleague they know is doing exceptional work in the classroom.
In the above post, Kathy Frazier expresses her admiration for fellow teacher, Jean Metzger. Thank you to both educators for your dedication to students and for taking the time to showcase what it means to deliver challenging, innovative, and student-centered lessons that result in powerful and deep learning.
Through the Teachers Honor Teachers Program, The Foundation is seeking Ohio public school teachers to share great things about a teaching colleague in an Ohio public school that ensures deep learning for students. If we choose to post your story, we will award $500 toward that teacher's classroom for their great work and $500 toward your classroom for honoring their excellence. Apply here.