A Barry University faculty member known for the educational support she has provided to underserved Haitian children is a recipient of an award that honors South Florida educators who integrate service-learning into the curriculum.
Dr. Pamela Hall, an associate professor of psychology, received the Spirit of Service-Learning Award from Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of South Florida.
Hall integrated service-learning into her senior seminar/capstone after she learned that many preschool children in Florida’s Head Start programs were experiencing emotional and behavioral issues that put them at risk for placement in special education or for suspension or expulsion from school. Her class of 15 students logged approximately 345 hours of service to children at the Lillie M. Williams Head Start Center in Miami, providing socio-emotional support and preparation for persistence in school.
A former service-learning faculty fellow, Hall coordinated her service-learning course in partnership with the Haitian Youth and Community Center of Florida, which manages the Head Start program at Lillie M. Williams.
Hall received the cash award and a certificate on October 6 at Returned Peace Corps Volunteers’ 7th Annual Spirit of Service-Learning event in Miami Springs. Nominated by Barry’s Center for Community Service Initiatives, she was one of eight faculty members of South Florida higher education institutions recognized at the event.
In partnership with the Miami-Dade County Teacher of the Year Coalition and the Armando Alejandre Jr. Memorial Foundation, Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of South Florida presents the Spirit of Service-Learning Award annually in two categories, K–12 and higher education.