Global Campus Springfield Hosts A Community Connections Conference

On March 20, 2012, Global Campus Springfield participants hosted a conference at the Nolin-Murray Center in Springfield, VT. Participants were involved in every aspect of preparing for the conference including choosing the venue, deciding what food to serve and designing the invitations and program. At the conference, their self-confidence and leadership skills shone through as they participated as speakers, teachers and presenters. Their thoughts about the conference confirm that it was a great learning experience for everyone!

It was pretty great! by Keegan

I like to teach-my class was great! by Patty

This was my first experience teaching at a conference. I had a lot of fun. by Patrick

I thought everyone enjoyed my presentation. by Bernie

I liked seeing all the people. It was fun to be on the panel. by Teri

It was easier than presenting at other conference. I think my class went pretty well. by Chris

I sang Summer Nights from Grease! by Randy

I had fun teaching but was nervous. It was the first time I used a microphone. by Molly

Global Campus Springfield Shares About Their Exciting Fall Term!

Global Campus Springfield had an exciting Fall Term. It included new faculty participants, new subject areas for experienced faculty and a Community Service project that raised money for victims of Tropical Storm Irene. Here are some reflections on the Fall Term from participants:

When I first came to Lincoln Street I was nervous because I did not know anyone. Everyone supported me and now because of Lincoln Street and Global Campus I have met so many people, have learned so much and done so much. I was even talked into teaching a class with Patrick and it was great!

By Bernie

My class was about the NY Yankees. I love them because they are a great team.
By Keegan

I was amazed at the positive response to my classes( Let Love Be The Rule and Red Sox Revisited)!
By Hudson

In my class about President Obama we learned that he was born in Hawaii and I got a copy of his birth certificate.
By Patty

I felt nervous teaching my class because I had never taught anything like that before. I rehearsed with Matt and learned 45 new songs to share-it was awesome!
By George

My class about forklifts went will with the help of my friend Drew at Townline Equipment in Plainfield, NH.
By Chris

I taught a class with Jeff and we had good movies about wrestlers.
By Dennis

My class was about the movie Top Gun. We watched the movie, learned some of the songs and ate popcorn.
By Randy

I think Global Campus is awesome!
By Kyle

It was great to share about the 3 Stooges!
By Nik

It is awesome that everyone gets to choose a topic to teach that they like as it makes them more comfortable. It was also great to see Bernie and Patrick team teaching!
By Bobbijo (LSI support staff).

Global Campus Springfield Honors Two Home Providers

At the recent Global Campus Certificate Day, participants, support staff and the Global Campus Academic Coordinator honored two home providers, Lucy Tardiff and Kerry Banks, who generously donate their time and energy to the participants.

Lucy and Jean, the participant she supports, have been involved in Global Campus Springfield since it began in 2008. With a sense of humor, positive attitude and creativity, Lucy has been a wonderful resource person for Jean. Lucy constantly finds creative ways for Jean to present her topic and understands how to support Jean while she is teaching without taking over. Lucy's supportive attitude also extends to other Global Campus participants. She is quick to lend a hand when needed and always does more than what is asked of her. This term, Lucy supported Jean's interest in forming the Pyramid Pot Luck Club, based upon Jean's interest in healthy eating. Each week participants shared nutritious, easy recipes, learned about food additives and sweeteners and visited the local food cooperative.

Kerry began her participation with Global Campus while working as a support staff. She quickly grasped the Global Campus philosophy and saw potential for those participants whom she supported, helping them decide on a topic they could teach and supported them throughout the process. Now that she has become a home provider to Dennis, Kerry is continuing her commitment to ensure that the participants she supports have a successful Global Campus experience. She is an excellent resource person, assisting participants with ideas for classes, helping them with research and supporting them during their teaching experience. This term, she recognized Dennis' love of music and helped him create and teach a 6 week class about the history of American music from early banjo to disco.

Global Campus Springfield Helps the Victims of the Japan Tsunami

For one of its Community Service Projects this term, Global Campus Springfield made a pledge to make and sell fudge to benefit the tsunami victims in Japan. Everyone worked very hard and we raised over $250.00. The money raised was sent to Mercy Corps, a charity chosen because of its reputation for serving under served populations around the world. Great job people!

By Hudson Lamb, GC Springfield Participant

GC St. Johnsbury Spring Update

Global Campus Springfield has enjoyed a full academic year! After a busy Fall Term of classes and participating in the Global Campuses Foundation Fall Conference, we spent Winter Interim learning about Tanzania, Turkey, India and Thailand. During Winter Interim, a guest speaker, Rick Blaisdell, shared about his work in India with a school for orphaned children and we also Skyped with participants from Global Campus Chiang Mai. We shared information about our cultures and many laughs!

This spring, we began to hold Campus Staff Meetings before Campus Seminar. This has been a great learning opportunity as well as an opportunity for participants to take on leadership roles. Campus participants also formed two committees-a grant development committee to work on grants for educational experiences and a finance committee to develop procedures and address issues such as Student Activity fees and purchasing class supplies.

Global Campus Springfield also produced a yearbook which was recently released. It contains beautiful photographs of various classes as well as many group photographs. It was a great way to capture our academic year and the growth of Global Campus Springfield.

Our Community Service project this term was a fundraiser to support the orphaned school children in India that we learned about during Winter Interim. We held a car wash and bake sale on June 15^{th at} the Springfield Fire Department which raised $240.00.

We love to have visitors at Global Campus Springfield so please visit anytime!

GC Springfield: Video Project

This spring term Global Campus Springfield participants were involved in a video project sponsored by Lincoln Street, Inc., our partnering agency, to highlight the Global Campus experience. During the filming, a number of participants were interviewed about their involvement with Global Campus and how the Global Campus experience has enhanced their lives by increasing their confidence and teaching them skills that they can use not only as Global Campus Faculty and Student Learners but in other areas of their lives as well.