Augusta native, student participates in national service-learning initiative

Coe College recently joined forces with Truman Elementary School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to take part in a national service-learning initiative titled “Communicating Common Ground.”

As part of this program, Coe students, including Taylor Mayenschein of Augusta, worked with fifth grade students in classrooms taught by Angie Litts and April Meiergerd. Mayenschein, a 2012 graduate of Augusta High School, is the daughter of Cynthia Anderegg.

Mayenschein and fellow classmates enrolled in the “Fundamentals of Public Speaking” class at Coe and utilized their knowledge to teach public speaking skills to fifth graders at Truman Elementary during fall classes. Mayenschein was one of the students to assist Truman students specifically with writing and delivering speeches on Native American nations.

Coe Rhetoric Professor Karen Sindelar said the arrangement is a learning experience for students like Mayenschein and others.

“The partnership between the Coe students and the fifth graders is magical,” Sindelar said. “The Coe students understand the concept of audience so much deeper when they prepare their speeches for the children, while the children develop connections to strong role models.”

Coe students shared what they wished they knew when they were in fifth grade by giving speeches on topics such as bulying, social media, leadership and teamwork. The children will return to Coe inthe spring to learn about college life and meet people from around the world.

“Communicating Common Ground” is a national service learning initiative that unites college students, faculty and community groups in providing multicultural education to students in grades K-12. It also promotes service-learning as a tool to enhance student learning and civic responsibility. This is the 14th year Coe and Truman have taken part in this national service-learning initiative.