(GARDNER)–Prospect School Principal Joanna Bowolick said her students benefited greatly from the one-on-one attention afforded them by volunteer MWCC students and LIFE volunteers participating in a Service Learning Partnership with the school. The five MWCC students in Professor Raymond Coleman’s Psychology 105 class and two LIFE (Lifelong Learning Institute for Enrichment) volunteers have been working with Prospect School first through third grade students since September. "We were thrilled to have the extra hands in the classroom," said Bowolick, "especially at the beginning of the school year before routines were established. Our students really benefited from the individual attention."

The MWCC students, who committed 25 hours to the Prospect students as part of a Service Learning project, said they benefited from the experience too. MWCC Deaf Studies student Susan Cormier of Fitchburg said, "I was able to gain a lot of insight into the different ways schools use to help students learn. Students need a variety of approaches."

"My goal is pediatric nursing," said MWCC freshman Kellie O’Dea of Winchendon. She hopes to apply what she learned about the children to her future career. "You have to be very patient and really listen to them (students)," she observed. "I recommend this experience to any college student–particularly those in Early Childhood Education."

MWCC Service Learning Director Susan Mc Alpine said this particular project is very unique because of the inter-generational nature of the partnership. "Our students were able to serve as role models to Prospect School students and the LIFE volunteers not only helped Prospect youngsters, but served as role models to our MWCC students," said McAlpine. (The LIFE program offers non-credit courses for seniors.)

According to Mc Alpine, over one hundred MWCC students participated in more than 25 Service Learning Projects in the last semester alone. The Service Learning Program engages students in service within their communities as an integrated aspect of their coursework. Students who participated in the Prospect School project included, Sarah Rose Collins, Nancy Druin, Susan Cormier, Ashley Sexton and Kellie O’Dea. Leonne Perreault and Joan Neu participated as LIFE volunteers. Prospect School teachers participating in the partnership were Ron Muse, Jen Ahlin, Ruth Ann Levard, Kerry Bettez, Judy Marceau, Sharon Kerr and Denise Goguen.

For more information on Service Learning Partnerships, contact Susan McAlpine at 978-630-9219. For more information on the LIFE (Lifelong Learning Institute for Enrichment), contact Lorraine Wickman at 978-630-9176.