My Nonprofit Reviews

Never have I known a non profit to be so fiscally responsible and mindful of its purpose. The goal to provide free curriculum and training to promote humanitarian education around the globe is what motivates the actions of this organization. The Board members are passionate about promoting this model, and transparency is a commitment. Monthly and annual reports, constant contact updates, and monthly donor letters are common practice. The shoestring budget goes a long way to promote this educational model.

This past Saturday, like many other Saturdays, I found myself amongst the children of our Saturday school. In true Full-Circle Learning form, we were seated in the “humanity circle.” This has been a tradition for several years now. However, on this particular day, I was struck with the realization that our school culture has indeed undergone a most positive transformation. Once filled with petty complaints often associated with childhood and common playground struggles to share limited resources and space, we now have no such drama. Instead, our students have internalized the sheer joy of compromise and altruism. They delight when they or their friends are elected for server nominations- a wonderful recognition of their ability to apply the habits-of-heart that offer much-needed complexity to our learning.
This should not have been a true “aha!” moment, because all visitors comment on the culture of our school. Most recently, my education students from Chapman University visited our Saturday school. These soon-to-be teachers study the model and incorporate it into their practicum. They have experienced working with fifth graders at a local public school where the Full-Circle Learning model is introduced as a two-week after-school enrichment program. Contrasting these two settings was their immediate reaction; they were impressed with the manner in which the Saturday students engaged in learning and dialogue. Our more saturated students were deeply involved in the process of learning and respected the diverse perspectives offered by others, while the short-term students in the after-school program often required extrinsic rewards. (Thankfully, this started to change by the end of our internship period with them.)
The more I apply Full-Circle Learning pedagogy, the more I come to understand its simplistic complexity. All aspects of this approach are thoughtfully and creatively organized. Through the 13-S scaffolded learning steps, teachers contextualize and extend academic content. By using the habit-of-heart as a lens for integrated learning concepts, , students connect deeply with not only the content but with the application. Engaging in collaborative endeavors to transform local communities and to connect with global partners provides the much-needed purpose that children crave.
All-too-often, many school children sit in cognitive comas in uninspired classrooms. As a Program Specialist for the Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment (BTSA) Induction Program, (a credentialing program that guides first and second year teachers), I know that teachers struggle with culturally-responsive pedagogy. I also grapple with their challenge to create invigorating and effective classroom environments. The new Common Core State Standards in America promote cross-content learning. Additionally, they emphasize collaboration and critical thinking while thinking and connecting globally. These new challenges present an amazing opportunity to apply a model that works so effectively, over time: Full-Circle Learning.
I think about our humanity circle and recall what one parent told me. “The humanity circle is my favorite part of the day!” I see what she means and also am reminded of the broad smile on the face of an energetic three year-old when he was nominated for service. One other student saw him demonstrating the habit of empathy and nominated him to distribute the lunch napkins. There was such pride in his little face. Imagine, no stickers or candy. The honor to serve was his reward. THAT is how we create future leaders with altruistic hearts.
Thank you for sharing the gift of Full-Circle Learning!
With much gratitude,
Marisol Rexach