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SLSS 2100 Final Reflection

Description

In this course we focus on the main theme of leadership. We learn to

recognize it, define it, and put it into our own practices through a service
learning project with a non-profit community partner. Along with
developing leadership skills, we touch base on certain main topics. We
discuss civic engagement and analyze its relationship to social awareness
where we come up with an umbrella of ideas of what social justice can
mean and what it means to us. With the service learning project of our
choice, each of us created a manifesto/credo to carry us throughout the
semester.
During class we examined leadership philosophies and how to be an
effective leader in social change. As we identified different social issues
we notice within our own communities, we explore possible solutions and
what conflicts can prevent us from making the change we want to make.
We learn the importance of questioning how systems within society and
our government affect that change and go through political processes,
media influence, and socio-economic statuses that come into play.
Over the entire course, we go back to one main point. How effective
leadership works. Not only does it requires us to have the awareness of
the world around us, it also goes hand in hand with understanding who we
are as a person and being conscious of our personal strengths,
weaknesses, values, skills, and goals. This course asks us to reflect on
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society and gain knowledge so we can affect change. In return, we also

learn more about ourselves through those observations.

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Feelings

Coming into class, I had no set expectation. I came into it with an

open mind and heart knowing that the experience I get out of it comes
down to how much I want to get out of it. This class gave me a fresh new
perspective on leadership, the importance of having support, and what it
means as a leader to be supportive. I felt my experience on effective
leadership evolved into major personal growth throughout the semester.
Having a shared vision can make all the difference, however what if your
vision thats most important to you is not shared with the interests of
others?
As a class requirement, we needed 30 hours individually with a
community partner while working as a group. We discussed the different
types of community partners each of us had interest in and collectively we
chose our community partners. This became an internal challenge
because the community partner that fit my personal mission wasnt the
right fit for others in my group. As a leader, we discussed the need to
know when to be a team player and when to take the lead. Its important
to be supportive if we want to make an impact as a whole group. We came
to the decision to work with the Huntsman Cancer Institute and knit hats
for treatment patients. Although I had no personal connection towards it,
the idea was rewarding knowing what a hat can actually mean for
someone. I was open to getting a new experience by doing something
new.
Putting into practice the value of being a team player, I gave it my
best and started knitting hats. As weeks went on, I realized I wasnt
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getting very far. My attention span to sit and loom yarn was not there. I
want to blame it on my ADHD, but truthfully my heart just wasnt in it.
Time spent looming felt forced and thats not the objective of service
learning. I was at a crossroads. Do I stay part of a group effort
(understanding the need to be a team player) or do what I was truly
passionate about? In the end I chose to communicate with my group my
decision to partner with Bad Dog Arts instead. By myself, I volunteered as
a teachers aid in their in-school art program for title one schools. I felt it
was the best decision I could have made.
Evaluation
I met the founder and volunteer coordinator that following week. We
talked about my schedule and found me a place at Midvale Elementary.
This worked out perfectly for them and myself. They were short on teacher
assistants and I already had previous work experience as a school
instructor. They put me to work with an awesome teacher. I learned a lot
through working with him and the kids. I got to observe the effects of
having a male role model in the classroom. It was inspiring to see how art
can truly affect students in such a positive way. I saw kids get passionate
and express their creativity that they normally dont get to. They got to do
things that they dont have access to at school or at home. Bad Dog Arts
gave them with ideas, tools, skills, and an environment where they are
able to learn yet have fun in self-expression and exploration. This was an
amazing feeling getting to interact with the kids and be a part of their
experience too.

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Everything went mostly well. Except there was a preventable

incident which miscommunication was a huge factor. Normally I work with
the same teacher in his classroom. However on one particular day while I
was working in the classroom with the kids, I get a call on my phone. I
check during one of the breaks and listen to a voicemail that was left on
my phone. It was one of the other art teachers and she was clearly upset
wondering why I wasnt there to help her. I had no idea what she was
talking about. After school, I met up with the other art teacher. She was
frazzled and basically chewed me out for not being there with her. In the
end we found out it was not anyones fault and everything was fine
between us.
I got to work with her on one of the last days I volunteered at
Midvale. It was then I didnt blame her for taking out her frustrations on
me that one day. Unlike the other art teacher where he had the art room
to himself and the students came to him, the other art teacher had to
constantly move her supplies and a long table room to room to different
classes. Transition time was only about 10 minutes and she needed to
have time to set up so it wouldnt eat into time the kids needed for their
art projects. She apologized for her frustrations she took out on me last
time. She went onto explain how some days she would have help from
another volunteer, other days she would ask her own sister to come help,
and there were days she was just by herself. She also had the younger
grades and it didnt make it any easier for her.
It was a true moment of feeling compassion for this art teacher and
her struggles. Our first experience of each other was not so good, and it

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could have easily turned us both sour. Both of us being able to work
together really shed some light on how miscommunication and giving the
benefit of the doubt is important in working together. That in itself was a
valuable lesson in leadership. I was able to understand where her anger
came from that one day, and she was finally able to able to see my actual
work ethic and dedication to the program. We both could have judged
each other from our first impressions but instead, we grew closer and
kinder through that initial experience. It was awesome.
Analysis
In reviewing my decision to change the service project I was doing, I
am 110% grateful for the whole experience Not only the experiences I got
out of Bad Dog Arts, but also the lesson I learned from going through with
the decision to split from my group. There are going to be times as a
leader you are faced with difficult choices that will lead you down two
different paths. There will be times where you will have support, and other
times you wont. Know when to follow, and when to lead. Its never too
late to change something if its truly not in the best interest of your cause.
There will be times when you share a vision, and times you will be the odd
person out. Its best to understand the reasons behind the actions you
take and assess and foresee all possible outcomes. If the risk is worth it,
do it. The only person in your way is yourself.
Conclusion
In hindsight, maybe I should have stressed my passion for Bad Dog
Arts. I could have pressed it towards the group and been more assertive
with the idea. Its possible I could have made a small group that would
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have been willing to do it with me instead of me doing it by myself. Part of

it was the fear of rejection and causing friction with other people. As a
leader that is something you have to be willing to experience especially
when you need to persuade and convince others to jump on board with
your mission.
Through this course, I learned many things about myself and how I
can affect change. I realized that if you really want to do something, you
cant always wait for others to do it with you. You have to pioneer in your
vision, and hopefully people will start to see it to and join you. I learned
what my fears were, and how I need to practice being more vocal in my
thoughts and ideas. I also experienced the support of other classmates
and getting used to asking for feedback. The course taught me one big
lesson overall apply yourself in every aspect. You have to be willing and
then act on that will. Be proactive. Learn from your mistakes, Learn from
yourself, others, and reflect as much as possible. Only then can you keep
evolving as a person and an effective leader.

Action Plan
For the future, I will be more conscious of how I present ideas and
project myself to others. Knowing how you come across to others is vital. I
also want to practice reaching out to people and asking them to be
involved. Team work is what gets things done more efficiently and
effectively. You cant just rely on yourself. You need to connect with others.

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