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Sheldon, Bronaugh students get world lessons through Cottey program
Sheldon and Bronaugh students are learning more about other parts of the United States and foreign countries when they come to Nevada to participate in Cottey College's international and cross-cultural SUCCEED curriculum.
Inaugurated three years ago by the college's late VISTA volunteer services coordinator Linda Platt, the initiative has Cottey students writing lesson plans, planning arts and crafts projects, teaching languages, music and dancing and doing PowerPoint presentations.
Associate Psychology Professor Julie Tietz says it's mutually beneficial, giving Cottey students experience working with kids and opening the children's eyes to a wider world. "It came about during discussions between Linda and me because she knew Sheldon was interested in forming a partnership with VISTA," Dr. Tietz said.
"Linda was a fantastic person to work with and she made a terrific contribution. She was a devout Christian and felt like she was here to serve others. She devoted her life to that. I think the program has worked out fairly well. One of the issues we're trying to improve on is the wide range of ages. It's sometimes hard to hit the target with younger and older children, so we have tried to split them up."
Platt, wife of First Christian Church Pastor Bill Platt, succumbed to Lou Gehrig's Disease on Oct. 22, 2009.
Sheldon kids take part in SUCCEED (for Students United at Cottey College to Empower, Educate and Develop) on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month and Bronaugh youngters on the first Wednesday in a classroom at Rubie Burton Academic Center. This semester, they've studied Norway, England, Guatemala, Morocco and other topics.
Sheldon's 21st Century Program Director, Sissi Spinks, said Thursday that the five-day-a-week after-school plan also takes 20-25 students on field trips to the Nevada YMCA and a movie theater in Lamar. "Cottey exposes our children to a different educational setting," said Spinks, a retired teacher.
"The Cottey girls' presentations are often multicultural and some of the girls are from foreign countries themselves. The younger children enjoy it because the girls who work with them are always enthusiastic. It helps build feelings of self-worth when people they don't know are excited to be with them. They look at it as a great fun thing."
Spinks said students younger than the seventh grade enjoy it most. "The older kids probably enjoy it but wouldn't let on that they do," she said.
"They're too cool."
Cottey student leaders are Amelia Hay of Ponca City, Okla., and Caitlin Davis of Waynesville, Ohio, assisted by volunteers including Miki Matsushita of Nishinomiya, Japan, Shelbey Sleeth of Caldwell, Texas, and Aimee Young of Virginia Beach, Va.
Bronaugh After School Director Julie Forkner sends 10-15 second through sixth graders to Nevada with Practical Parenting Partnerships Coordinator Sherry Brown. "It's a fun time for the kids and a chance to get off campus," Forkner said.
"They say the Cottey girls are nice. They have fun there and are shown cool things, and they learn a lot and make things to bring back. Our kids are from rural Vernon County, Missouri. They've never been outside the U.S. and may never get the chance to go. The girls talk about other countries and their traditions and the different things they do. It's good cultural education."
Brown said the Bronaugh students also gain perspective about the present day.
"The girls tell them that these are the best years of their lives because when they get to college, they'll have to study," said Brown.
"We can tell them that all we want, but it means more coming from a peer."