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The Ripple Effect is published by the Health & Physical Education Department, in co-operation with the College of Education, Northeastern Illinois University. |
Greetings
Friends and Colleagues,
June is fast approaching and yet it just seems like yesterday the leaves were turning colors. Life seems to pass us by even when we are trying to hold onto the moments. We hope that your summer is filled with adventure and balanced with reflection. This issue contains articles that are reflections from our students. Some of the students are young and some are a bit older. Their articles address one of the most critical areas of the adventure/challenge process. The reflective component after an experience. At the First Annual T.E.A.M. Conference on April 22, 1989 Kathryn Nelson was the keynote speaker. She said something so meaningful I still share her words today sixteen years later in my classes with my students, in my workshops, and I use them in my daily life. Kathryn Nelson is one of those profound people that when she speaks the focus and silence in the audience is so noticeable you could hear a pin drop on a carpeted floor. Here is a little bit on Kathryn Nelson and how she was introduced at the 1989 T.E.A.M. Conference. Kathryn
Nelson has been actively involved with Experiential and Adventure Education
all her life. As an educator at St. Louis Community college she has
been: Dean of the School of Business, Dean of the School of Social
Science, Director of the Child evelopment Program, Director of the
Learning Achievement Center, and Chairperson of the
Her professional career has been wide and varied. It has included: Missionary work in Haiti, Director of a School of Nursing, host of her own T.V. talk show called "Growing Together", and she has evaluated many national, and regional Experiential/Adventure Programs. Although Kathryn Nelson has had a varied career, she has had a single focus. She calls her focus "People Making". Presently, after attempting to retire twice, Kathryn is the program director for the Danforth Foundation in St. Louis. Here
is what she shared at her keynote on that day:. "You do not learn from
your experiences. You learn when you reflect on your experiences."
This was one of those profound life moments for me and yet came in so subtly
it took a long time
A major strength in our Adventure/Challenge programs is the reflective piece that is built into every experience. This is one of the areas that makes our learning experiences so meaningful. We hope you enjoy the articles and will reflect on your experiences this Summer come the Fall when the leaves are turning colors. If you have article or an experience you would like to share please submit it to team@neiu.edu. We would love to hear about your adventure. Off
Belay,
Dan
Creely Jr.
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Our Mission Teachers
of Experiential and Adventure Methodology (T.E.A.M.) is an organization
dedicated to promoting and supporting the process of experiential and adventure
based learning. Through the sharing of a progression of ideas, skills,
and curricula, TEAM provides individuals and organizations in the areas
of education and community service with professional, cross-cultural, and
personal growth opportunities.
Our mission is accomplished through an annual conference, The Ripple Effect Newsletter, and our web site (www.neiu.edu/~team). Newsletter
Committee (service years):
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Here,
at T.E.A.M., we are always looking for ideas and suggestions. Please e-mail
them to us at team@neiu.edu. Here is
what we are looking for:
Do you have a valuable link covering Experiential & Adventure Methodology that we should add to our Links page? Please send the URL and a brief description. In May, 2002, the T.E.A.M. Conference Committee decided to establish two scholarships in the name of Dr. James Gillihan for his lifetime of service, honor and dedication. The scholarships are to honor two deserving people and help them financially attend the T.E.A.M. Conference. Jim was informed of the scholarships and was thrilled to become "a permanent part of the T.E.A.M. Conference." Jim had been attending and presenting workshops since 1995. His half day workshops on Lakota, Cherokee, and Celtic customs, ceremonies, history, and traditions were always packed with interested participants. His encyclopedic mind captivated people with the facts, stories and experiences he would recall and share. Jim Gillihan was a warrior in every sense of the word, but what he will be remembered for most was his kindness, patience, and the gentle way he helped people. When you sat in his circles he made you feel welcome and aware that your presence was important. People loved being around him as you would love sitting with your own grandfather. Jim passed away on June 7, 2002, but he will never be forgotten by those of us who where fortunate to know him. Moments with Jim seemed like a life time. Our two recipients for 2002 were the following: * Rob Schader, who is a second year teacher at St. Pat's High school, in Chicago. Rob has written an article for the Ripple Effect newsletter (click here to read). You can read for yourself about the transformational effect Adventure/Challenge Education had on him. * Le Moine LaPointe has worked for years in the adventure field, and is active in social justice and human rights. In 2002, he organized the first experiential conference for The Association for Experiential Education (AEE) in Mission, South Dakota. His goal is to introduce this process to educators so they will use it in the school systems. Mission, South Dakota, is LeMoine's home town and has one of the highest unemployment and teen suicide rates in the country. He believes that adventure/challenge programs can instill a sense of hope in the community. NOMINATIONS: If you would like to nominate someone for the Dr. James Gillihan Award, submit a letter in writing to the T.E.A.M. Committee with as much information as you can supply about the person, as well as why you feel they deserve the scholarship. We look forward to hearing from you. Mail to:
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