March 29, 2024

Woodburn native participates in Arts and Culture Days

CEDAR RAPIDS – Coe College joined forces with Prairie Creek Intermediate and Truman Elementary schools in Cedar Rapids for the 2013 Art and Culture Days at Coe. This program is part of a national service-learning initiative called “Communicating Common Ground.”

As part of the program, 30 Coe students, including Addy Joss of Woodburn, worked with 110 fifth- and sixth-grade students. Joss, a 2012 graduate of Clarke Community High School, is the daughter of Robert and Teresa Joss.

A total of 50 Prairie Creek students from Michelle Anderson’s sixth-grade class visited the Coe campus, while an additional 60 Truman students from Angela Litts and Payt Bergert’s fifth-grade classes visited campus this spring. In an attempt to increase multicultural awareness and improve self-esteem through communication instruction, Joss and fellow classmates at Coe gave art and culture workshops and engaged with the Prairie and Truman students through a variety of activities.

“Service learning is more than community service. It is a mutual partnership that includes academic learning, reflection and assessment,” said Coe professor Karen Sindelar. “Both groups learn so much from each other.”

“Communicating Common Ground” is a national service-learning initiative that unites college students, faculty and community groups in providing multicultural education to students in grades K-12. Funded by Beta Nu and Theta Delta Kappa Gamma Chapters, it also promotes service learning as a tool to enhance student learning and civic responsibility. This is the 12th year Coe has taken part in this national service learning initiative.

Located near the heart of Cedar Rapids, Coe College is a selective, private, nationally recognized liberal arts college providing superior quality educational experiences for students since 1851.