Byesville Rotary learns about motivating students to learn

Pictured: Jim Vaughan, Speaker Host; Rusty Roberts, teacher--Rolling Hills School District; and Tanya Hitchens, Byesville Rotary President.

Sharon Miller introduced visiting Meadowbrook Interact Club students Annie Kackley and Rylie Janczarek. They invited club members to the Interact Club’s “Purple Pinkies” fundraiser being held on Friday, October 14, 11:00am-12:30pm in the Meadowbrook High School cafeteria. The Interact Club will donate funds raised to the Rotary International Polio Plus Program. This program aims to end polio worldwide.

Rusty Roberts spoke to the club about efforts to improve the quality of education in Rolling Hills. He has taught for over 36 years in Rolling Hills School district and has been nominated twice for “Ohio Teacher of the Year.” Currently, he is serving on a state advisory council to improve quality of Health Education in Ohio.

Mr. Roberts developed a classroom program which uses community-based agencies to expand learning opportunities in the classroom. This classroom program has been nominated twice for the Magna Award which is a national award recognizing outstanding educational practices.

Mr. Roberts stated that bringing real-life experiences into the classroom motivates students and inspires them to learn. Classes are designed to get kids involved in the planning and learning process in the classroom. He has successfully applied this method in his middle school classes which are student driven. For example, recently his class researched bath salts, a topic suggested by a student. Students researched the project and presented the results of their research in the classroom.

The benefits of a classroom program which involves local community-based agencies include introducing students to services they may eventually need to use as they graduate and move into the world of work. Students are also are motivated to learn by being introduced to real life experiences. They begin to see there is a connection between what they are learning in school and the life skills they will need to be successful once they graduate.

For example, in one class presentation a speaker presented a program on current tax law. Following the presentation, the students filled out state, and federal tax forms.

Byesville Rotary will begin registration for their Christmas Food Basket program on Wednesday, October 19, and Thursday, October 20. Registration will be 9:00AM-12N at the Main Avenue Methodist Church Activity Center located behind the church at 223 E. Main, Byesville. No registrations by phone will be accepted. For more information call Bob Long 740-685-3620, or Oziel Jeffries, 740-638-2290.
Members were asked to help raise funds for the food basket program by signing up for red bucket bell ringing shifts. Anyone wishing to make a donation to the food basket program can call Bob Long or contact any Byesville Rotary member.

Byesville Rotary meets every Tuesday, 7:30 am, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Randy Launder, 740-685-8294