Answering Cornelia’s Call: Reinvigorating Service Learning and Servant Leadership at Mayfield Junior School

Bridget Kelley-Lossada, K-8 Service Learning Coordinator

Let the [teachers] have this particular intention in their mind as well at the time of lessons as at other times, that when occasion shall serve, they shall lead the tender minds of their pupils to the love and service of God, and to the practice of those virtues by which He is most pleased. -CC Book of Studies

How lucky are we to be here right now in a school that allows for the teaching of the mind, body, heart, and spirit? We are fortunate to be the kind of school that recognizes that academic excellence alone does not prepare a person for the rest of their life or for challenges they will encounter as members of modern society. Teaching the whole person means so much more.

Knowing that it is in giving that we receive when we looked to reinvigorate service learning at Mayfield, we remembered Cornelia’s message to always trust the children, and we were rewarded. The students delighted us and reminded us about the joys of giving back to the community. Last year, a student leadership club was formed to help end food waste, citing that ending food waste on campus directly impacts our larger community. It seemed easy initially but making the small change/s needed to succeed was challenging. The students never stopped communicating their desires for change. After a waste audit last spring, the students collaborated with school leadership to devise a plan that could work on our campus. This spring, their plans have come to fruition, and the campus is fully engaged in sorting waste and learning about the benefits of composting and keeping food waste out of our landfills.

At Mayfield Junior School, we aim to educate our students to cultivate key servant leadership skills that they will continue to grow as they embark from here toward the next phase of their educational journey. Servant leadership skills include empathy, listening to understand, stewardship, and serving the community; in other words, leading with humility as Christ modeled for us.

How lucky we are to serve the students and share the joy of the call to serve.