UTK CFS Community Outreach Practicum

10/21/2015

Effective one week from today, our facebook will be merging with UTK Department of Child and Family Studies! Please go like that page to keep current on all things practicum...AND other information about our wonderful department!

10/20/2015

MEET April at Anderson Head Start

"I wanted to do something that involved families working together. I also wanted to do something about the amount of children that are in rural areas not going to school because their parents cant drop them off or cant afford it or for other reasons. After going over the different placement sites that were listed I remembered volunteering at Anderson my sophomore year at UT and enjoined the environment.

I was nervous about going to my practicum and all that they were going to have me do is make copies and staple them but I have already been on several home visits, made calls to parents, and enrolled several children.

When I went on the home visit we got three new children enrolled in head start to most that wouldn't be a big deal but after months (previous to when i was there) of incomplete paperwork we finally got the last few papers and now those children can begin their education.

I like going on the home visits. It just sends a thrill though my body cause you never really know what you are going to get at first but when you sit with that family by the time you finish their paper work they are smiling and there is no better feeling."

If you have any questions for April, please contact me at [email protected]!

10/15/2015

FUTURE practicum students:

In case you're wondering if you get to follow UTK breaks for your practicum...It is on a case-by-case basis discussed with your practicum site supervisor.

Even if you don't get off for UTK breaks, sometimes you do based on your placement (some follow Knox County breaks)!

HAPPY FALL BREAK!

10/13/2015

MEET Cydney at Young Life

"I have been involved in Young Life as a volunteer throughout college, but I also wanted to learn more about Young Life and Non-profit organizations in general through this experience.

I was worried that my role would be blurred between what I knew of being a volunteer and being an intern because I have been so involved in the past so I wasn't sure what my role would look like.
The Young Life Staff has been really helpful and have tried to be very clear with my hours spent as an intern this semester. They know it can be hard to know what to count as "hours" so they have been very helpful and clear with their expectations!

I have been able to lead my team with focus because this is essentially my job. Also, I have been able to be thorough in my communication with them.

I love getting to sit in meetings especially when a new idea is on the table. Questions like "What could we call it?" "What time should it be?" "Who do we want to be there?" Getting to be behind the scenes in a whole new way has been really exciting to me - getting to see the process it takes to implement a new idea has been really interesting."

If you have any questions for Cydney, please email me at [email protected]!

10/06/2015

MEET Jennifer at Shangri-La Therapeutic Academy of Riding (STAR)

My future aspiration is to be an art therapist, which is an unique form of therapy. I wanted to experience another unique therapeutic experience, so I was excited to find a facility using horses for therapeutic lessons and to see the impact it has on the riders as well as the horses.

I biggest concern when starting this practicum was my lack of experience with horses. The people who work at STAR are familiar with horses and many own horses themselves. At first, I felt like a fish out of water because of my lack of knowledge on anything horses.

After being here, I have found that the staff members are very welcoming and willing to help me understand horses. I have learned facts including the general knowledge of horses and their health to the facts of each individual horse at the facility. I no longer have this concern because I know that everyone at STAR is more than happy to help gain knowledge.

My biggest accomplishment so far would be learning how to correctly handle horses and beginning to learn how lead a horse into a trot. Because I haven’t ever personally handled a horse I was proud of myself for learning quickly and being able to apply that at my placement every day.

With this placement, there are many exciting events that have already happened as well as many to happen throughout the semester. My favorite moment so far was getting to ride a horse named Mater during training. He is one of the biggest horses at STAR but is known as the gentle giant. I was so ecstatic when riding and formed an instant bond with my first horse at STAR. He introduced the bond I could make with each and every horse. I plan to have many stories throughout the semester."

If you have questions for Jennifer, please email me at [email protected]!

09/30/2015

MEET Katie at the Family Justice Center:

"I wanted to work with an agency that helped individuals, while also branching out from only working with children. The Family Justice Center has given me the opportunity to experience both.

I was concerned that I would be doing mostly busy work and not be able to have a lot of hands on experience in my practicum.

My placement has allowed me to be very involved within the agency. I am able to meet clients one-on-one and help guide them in choosing which advocate they would like to work with. I am also able to sit in while they meet with their advocate, depending on the situation.

My biggest accomplishment so far would be being able to navigate (help the client choose their advocate) and helping prepare and package the orders of protection.

The Family Justice Center has such a wide variety of clients. Every day is interesting because I get to hear so many different stories and situations."

If you have questions for Katie, please email me at [email protected]!

09/24/2015

Some of our wonderful students representing our program at UT Farmers Market!

09/23/2015

Don't forget about this opportunity TODAY!!

Would you like to meet some of our amazing CFS Community Outreach Practicum Students and learn a little about the practicum experience and/or our department? If so, stop by the UT Farmers Market on 9/23 between 4-7 at UT Gardens! Contact [email protected] with any questions!

Posts on growing produce & produce safety from the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture.

09/22/2015

MEET Karly at Hope Resource Center:

"I really wanted to work in an environment that focused on helping others. I knew that HOPE offered many opportunities of this through not only saving future lives, but also building a relationship with these future mommies.

I was really nervous to be thrown into a work environment where relationship were already established and everyone had a place in the office.

This concern was immediately taken away when I walked in on my first day. Everyone that I spoke with was warm and welcoming and by the second day I felt like I had been there for weeks.

I have really loved being able to be in a real work setting and being able to connect with the workers and seeing what my future career may look like.

I have really loved how I have been able to be a part of all different things at HOPE. Whether it is interacting with the patients or collecting fundraising money, I have really enjoyed being a part of each of these things."

If you have any questions for Karly, email me at [email protected]!

09/20/2015

REMINDER: Orientation for spring '16 Community Outreach Practicum is tomorrow OR Tuesday! Check your email for details :)

09/16/2015

MEET Ashlen at Cedar Springs Week Day School

"What made you choose your placement- I wanted to have experience with elementary school aged children. I also wanted to be more involved at Cedar Springs, because it is my church.

What concerned you most PRIOR to beginning your practicum- I was nervous about the age I was working with. I thought it may be very overwhelming.

What are your thoughts on that concern now- It is a lot less overwhelming than I thought, and I really enjoy the ages I am working with.

What has been your biggest accomplishment at your placement so far- I have seen improvement while teaching the students.

What has been the most interesting/exciting thing that has happened so far- I have loved the opportunity to help test and teach students. I have also been able to help write out allergy information, etc. which prepares me for school counseling."

If you have questions for Ashlen, please email me at [email protected]!

09/11/2015

JOB OPPORTUNITY!
Ridgedale Mother's Day Out is a growing child care program, and we currently have several positions open for lead and substitute teachers. Availability on Mondays & Wednesday and/or Tuesdays & Thursdays from 8:30-2:15 is required. Each applicant must have a growing relationship with the Lord, child care experience, and a true love for children.

Our teacher positions are best suited for a high energy, self-motivated, team player. As a teacher, you will be responsible for planning monthly calendars for your classroom to include lesson plans, Bible stories, music, arts & crafts, etc. . We are not a babysitting Mother's Day Out. Our time is spent interacting and teaching our children. We are searching for a teacher who can lead a structured classroom and still have fun with the children. Good communication is vital to our Mother's Day Out as well. You need to be able to effectively communicate with the children and parents in our program as well as our current teaching staff.

If you think you will complement our program and help us grow, please send a resume and cover letter to Kelley Jones at [email protected].