Connecting communities through Student-led service-learning approaches: Perspectives from students in action coaches and an illustrative team case study

ABSTRACT

Service-learning is an educational approach combining theoretical skills and hands-on project applications, crucial for younger generations who play an essential role in the future of their communities. Students in Action (SIA) is a program implemented within K-12 schools to foster service-learning through student-led service projects facilitated by advisors, typically teachers. SIA identified the need for a near-peer mentor role to enhance K-12 students’ service-learning experience and create a liaison between advisors and students. We addressed this need by having college students take on a mediator role as SIA coaches in four schools within the community. From our work, we aimed to create a framework by outlining our experiences, providing a multi-perspective case study, and demonstrating the utility of a University and K-12 partnership in a service-learning context for other SIA organizations nationally to replicate this role and create a stronger sense of unity within communities.

KEYWORDS:

• Service-learning
• student coaching
• near-peer mentor
• community partnership
• K-12 education

Acknowledgements

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Oakley Fawn

Oakley Fawn is a pseudonym representing a group of Oakland Academy Students in Action Members.