Dave Reschke says he has a heart for service learning; it’s something he believes in.
And it shows.
As Deputy Superintendent of Clarkston Community Schools, Reschke was recently honored with a 2009 Outstanding Service-Learning Award, presented by the Michigan Community Service Commission and Learn and Serve ? Michigan.
Reschke, honored as ‘a school administrator who has served as a model of leadership for service learning,? was one of only four recipients from a state-wide pool to receive the award.
One individual from each of three other Michigan districts was recognized in teacher/practitioner; innovative service-learning program, and student categories.
In Clarkston, school leaders say Reschke is a valued asset to the district.
‘The work Dave Reschke has done to promote service learning and his capacity to connect classroom, curriculum and community is nothing short of phenomenal,? said Superintendent Al Roberts. ‘Dave not only believes in service learning, he lives it.? As a member of the SCAMP and Clarkston Foundation boards, and as the administrator who is responsible for our Learn and Serve Grant, he has distinguished himself as an inspirational leader.?
Clarkston began its academic service learning program (ASL), which connects student curriculum to a service experience, in 2003.
The program has continued to grow every year since; in the 2007-2008 school year alone, 143 teachers collaborated on ASL projects involving more than 4,100 students and some 50 local business partners.
‘Dave Reschke has led the way in supporting the benefits and importance of academic service learning at Clarkston Community Schools,? said Sue Wilson, an SMS language arts teacher who also serves as the district’s Learn and Serve grant coordinator. ?’His voice and vision have been instrumental in creating a strong foundation of academic service learning for students, teachers, and community partners in Clarkston.?
Wilson, along with Reschke and Clarkston teachers Radhika Issac of Clarkston Elementary; Corena Bell of Independence Elementary and Christine Rogers of Clarkston Junior High attended the 13th Annual Institute: Service-Learning and Civic Engagement in Grand Rapids, where Reschke was honored Feb. 12.
‘We are thankful for Dave’s leadership and proud of this distinguished award,? said Wilson, noting the group also attended a two-day workshop for professional development in service learning while in Grand Rapids.
‘Dave has been a long time advocate for service-learning,? wrote the Michigan Community Service Commission. ‘Each year he works with his staff to assess the necessary resources needed to support the growth of service-learning in Clarkston’s schools. With his service-learning leadership team, the district’s service-learning efforts are high quality educational experiences valued in the community. His application of a strategic growth strategy assures the programming will last far beyond the availability of grant funding.?
But, advocates say, in order to insure continued success of the program and its positive impact on students and the community, academic service learning needs support.
Last fall, Reschke went to Washington D.C. as part of a delegation of education representatives from Michigan to promote service learning.
Speaking with a number of government leaders, Reschke talked about the importance of an ASL program in a suburban distric like Clarkston.
‘When you look at Clarkston you think: why do they need volunteers?? he said.
‘We need volunteers to help kids engage in learning. Instead of saying to kids ‘you’re learning this so you can be good citizens when you’re adults,? we’re saying ‘we need you to be a good citizen now; we need you to be engaged in your community now.??
And he leads by example; Reschke is a founding member of the Clarkston area Optimist Club, as well as the Clarkston Foundation, which raises funds for student and staff scholarships.
But Reschke won’t take all the credit for the ASL program’s success.
With so many teachers, students, parent volunteers, businesses and members of the community involved, he said, the impact has been ‘huge.?
The district, Reschke explained, is looked upon as a ‘lighthouse? and those involved with ASL are often called upon by other districts just starting programs in their own schools.
‘We’ve become a district the State of Michigan looks at and says ‘they’re doing this in the right spirit,? he said. ?’They really have a belief for it; they’ve grown it slow and internally and done it with high quality.?