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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: Dr. Nan Giblin, Dean, College of Education |
Departments:
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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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Dear Friends and Colleagues, Dear Friends and Colleagues, Another school year winds down, and gives way to the winds of change and the blossoms of Spring. Reflecting on the past year for our T.E.A.M. Organization is both exciting, and satisfying. We held our 15th Annual T.E.A.M. Conference, and it was a dynamic combination of speakers, participants, and service crew members who made it a memorable weekend for over three hundred educators. We had speakers fly up from Mexico, and drive from Florida just to share their gifts and be part of our gathering. The participants arrived excited and left energized to share things they learned with their students and colleagues. The service crew, as always, is the heart of the conference and seems to always put out the "brush fires" that erupt no matter how much planning we do. So we say Thank You to the planning committee, the speakers, the service crew and everyone who attended. We will see you next year on February 18 & 19, 2005. Last Fall Jane Goodall, the world famous primatologist, environmentalist, and youth activist was in Chicago for a benefit at the Lincoln Park Zoo. She called and asked to visit our Fire Circle. On Monday, October 6, 2003 Jane sat at our Peace Fire Circle with about fifty other people. As the sky darkened the faces of those sitting around the fire glowed and the darkened silhouettes of those in the back rows stood out against the night sky. Listening to Jane share in the circle that evening was like being in a dream. A really, really wonderful dream. She shared many stories and experiences but the one that seems to stand out is the indomitable spirit she has witnessed from young people around the world. Her Roots and Shoots Programs are empowerment programs for youth to make a difference in the world. "Our young people, the future of our world, are one of the things that keep me going on our projects." The H.H. Dali Lama received Fire Coals from our Peace Fire in July, 2003. Sergio Rojas and Brother Wayne Teasdale, both from Chicago, went to visit with His Holiness in Dharmsala, India. Sergio wrote, "I have pictures to send you of the Dali Lama receiving your Fire Coals from the Peace Fire at Northeastern." You can check out the entire story of the Peace Fire on our web site (click here). Felipe Ortega, a Jicirilla Apache and master Micaous clay potter, learned his craft over thirty years ago from a ninety year blind woman. She was the last one who knew how to do the old pottery techniques, and she took time to pass it on to him. He has dedicated himself to keeping the craft alive and sharing it with others. Felipe flew up from nice warm, sunny Mexico to teach and share during the T.E.A.M. Conference in cold, snowy Chicago. Now that is dedication! In his workshops you could see him buzzing from one student to another helping them with their clay pots. When he would see something he really liked he would just blurt out, "Cool!" His enthusiasm was contagious. In reflecting on the past year we had a "cool" conference, and we had many "cool" moments at the Fire Circle. We hope you will be able to join us next year we have many "cool" things planned. We are planning to start an e-mail mailing list if you or anyone you know would like to be placed on the list just send your information to team@neiu.edu. Have
a safe, exciting, and adventurous summer. We hope it is filled with
learning through discovery and balanced with reflection.
Off Belay, Dan
Creely Jr.
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The Ripple EffectFirst, get your own life in order. Ground yourself in the single principle so that your behavior is wholesome and effective. If you do that, you will earn respect and be a powerful influence. Your behavior influences others through a ripple effect. A ripple effect works because everyone influences everyone else. Powerful people are powerful influences. If your life works, you influence your family. If your family works, your family influences the community. If your community works, your community influences the nation. If your nation works, your nation influences the world. If the world works, the ripple effect spreads throughout the cosmos. Remember that your influence begins with you and ripples outward. So be sure that your influence is both potent and wholesome. How do I know that this works? All growth spreads outward from a fertile and potent nucleus. You are a nucleus. |
A
poem by Margie Martinson
Drop
a pebble in the water;
Margie
is currently a co-chairperson of the TEAM committee.
Peace. |