Community Engagement

Student Involvement in K-12 Education

Education Course Practicums

Most courses in the Teacher Education Program require a practicum in a school classroom or similar setting.  Although the course-related assignments differ, all students participating in a practicum are expected to become active participant-observers, working closely with their host teachers, interacting with individual students as well as with small groups, and (whenever possible) assisting with classroom instruction.  Some additional courses in Music Education also provide students with practicum experiences in traditional and non-traditional classroom settings.   For example, students from Associate Professor Brigetta Miller’s General Music Methods I class work with the Mom’s Club at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Appleton to teach parents and young children music that enhances early childhood development.

Lawrence Assistance Reaching Youth (LARY) Buddy Program

LARY Buddies are matched with Edison Elementary students to provide them with help and support both in and out of the classroom. LARY Buddies mentor elementary students who are in need of extra help due to familial difficulties, learning disabilities, or social problems. They do everything from working on homework, to playing games, to attending class with their mentees.

VITAL Tutoring

VITAL Tutoring is a free service provided by Lawrence student volunteers for elementary through high school students in the Fox Valley area.  Lawrence student volunteers are matched with K-12 students who need help in academic subjects. Volunteer tutors arrange to meet with each tutee for one hour per week at the Seeley G. Mudd Library at Lawrence University.

The String Project of the Lawrence Academy of Music

In partnership with the American String Teachers Association (ASTA), Lawrence University was selected to implement a String Project—a teacher-training program for college students that also provides area children with affordable instruction on the violin, viola, cello, and string bass.  Classes are taught by Lawrence University Conservatory of Music string majors under the supervision of Lead Teacher Carrie Gruselle, a certified, experienced strings instructor.

Confidence and Determination in Youth (CADY)

CADY (Confidence and Determination in Youth) is a student organization that encourages young Appleton-area students to pursue a liberal arts college education in their future. CADY plans three on-campus events a year where student organizations host activities for children in Math & Science, the Arts, and Foreign Languages/Cultures in order to pique their interest in these areas.

Appleton Boys & Girls Club Teen Center

The Boys & Girls Club Teen Center provides a safe space for local youth ages 12-18 to socialize after school, pursue academic and career-planning help, eat meals, and take part in other health-promoting and character-developing programming. 66% of the teens who come to the club are from ethnic minorities, and 58% live in poverty. The Boys & Girls Club looks to Lawrence students to mentor these teens, provide homework help, promote going to college and plan campus visits, and help in other ways. Contact Olivia Hendricks (hendrico@lawrence.edu) for more information.

Mielke Summer Institute in the Liberal Arts

The Mielke Summer Institute is a liberal arts approach to the professional development of K-12 educators from the Appleton and Shawano public schools.  Each year it provides participants with the opportunity to immerse themselves in the liberal arts while exploring new ideas and examining issues of cultural and societal importance from a multidisciplinary perspective.  The week-long institute is held at Lawrence’s Björklunden campus in Door County; lodging and meals are provided. Applications for the Mielke Summer Institute are due in early March.