Overview
The Shift is designed as an extracurricular program — think of it as a Service Lab — where students explore how they can be a positive force for good in their communities and the world. The program meets once a week after school, either in person or virtually, and provides a dynamic, hands-on learning experience that blends self-discovery, social awareness, and purposeful action.

How It Works
We begin by discussing why they chose to participate and what “service” personally means to them. Together, we examine what authentic service looks like and introduce The Shift: a new way of thinking about leadership, empathy, and impact.

Students will be guided through the 5 steps of the service model:

1. Investigation – identifying real community needs through interviews, observations, and data collection
   
   

2. Preparation – planning meaningful responses based on findings
   
   

3. Action – implementing projects that address those needs
   
   

4. Reflection – examining what was learned and how perspectives shifted
   
   

5. Demonstration – sharing outcomes and celebrating growth
   
   

Active Learning in Action
This is not a typical class — it’s a lab. Students engage in real-world learning by conducting interviews, doing community walkthroughs, gathering and analyzing data, and guiding their own projects. Along the way, they meet with Shift Mentors — experienced guides who provide constructive feedback, insight, and encouragement to help students refine their ideas and deepen their impact.

Collaborating with Teachers
In addition to the after-school component, I collaborate with teachers to integrate service-based learning into the curriculum, connecting academic content to real-world action. When students’ emotions and values are tied to what they study, their engagement deepens, and concepts become more meaningful and memorable.