Relational Learning

Flexibility is characterized by a ready capability to adapt to new, different, or changing requirements.

My friend and I have this saying:  I am flexible except when I am rigid! Am I the only person this rings true for?

Service learning is truly about being flexible and casting our rigidity to the wind. I wonder if you can have a service learning experience without being flexible? I tend to be goal oriented and I love making lists and accomplishing them or working on a project and seeing it come to fruition.  So, the process of beginning a project with Holly Street/Martin Middle School is a true test of my flexibility. First, I have never done an oral history project.  Second, I love learning but I also like having some idea about what I am doing. Third, I feel rather excited that I am part of a groundbreaking team for something this community wants.  Intertwined with all of these unknowns is fear and excitement. 

A mixture of emotions and goals forced me to consider the optimum goal. Yes, the ultimate goal is a completed oral history project.  It is unrealistic to expect that the school will have a completed/finished project by the time this semester is over. But the optimum goal is for this community to have what they want and in order for that to happen, I have to look at my role. My part will consist of being hands, feet, and ears to these people and a voice when they need encouragement or when my opinion is asked. This is not my project but an extension of  
service learning and more importantly relational learning.

If my focus is on building a relationship with this community, I am then able to put aside my own goals of getting something accomplished for class.  I took another look at the article  Shifting Service-Learning From Transactional to Relational.   By making long term relationships with the people of this community a  priority, the experience that I and others have will be far more beneficial.

It is also a huge relief to be in a learning environment where risk is rewarded. This is certainly a risk taking experience for me when it comes to producing a project of community history; however, the weight is not on my shoulders.  I feel confident that between our group from class and the Martin Street Middle School staff, we will not only develop long lasting relationships and partnerships but also within the next two years have helped them produce a variety of completed oral history stories. 

Excitement overrides fear as I spend time with the staff at Martin Middle School. We have a common goal and that alone is enough!