Resources for Fairfax County Teachers

Working with local organizations, such as non-profits, can help tie classrooms to the global community.  Being located so closely to Washington D.C. provides Fairfax County Schools many opportunities to work outside the classroom walls.  Below are some tried and true organizations that have been fantastic to the South Lakes community and FCPS at large.  Please leave comments below about organizations you have worked with that are helpful.

Local Organizations:

• Initiative for Public Art- Reston- Students at SLHS have worked with this organization to build public works of art throughout the community.
• Reston Association- The Reston Association has been wonderful for SLHS students.  They frequently provide help on community service projects and are very supportive of South Lakes events.  If you are in need of help with a larger project, contact RA.
• The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia- This organization invests in philanthropic opportunities around Northern Virginia.  People can apply for grants and fellowships through this organization and find opportunities to connect to the community.
• Cornerstones (Formerly Reston Interfaith)- This is an excellent organization to provide students with community service and service learning opportunities that helps the community at large.  This would be a great chance to create a project-based learning opportunity for students with a real outcome of helping the greater community.

International Organizations (Based Locally):

• Sudan Sunrise- This organization has been around for ten years and focuses on improving issues within Sudan.  Sudan is a hot spot for international activity (and a great teachable moment issue) because of the Darfur genocide, the split of South Sudan from Sudan, and the secular violence that is being labeled ethnic cleansing by the UN.  Contact them to see how you can work with them.
• Global Camps Africa- Founded in 2003, this organization is working to educate and inform South African youth about HIV/AIDS.  If you teach choir, there are some great opportunities to connect your choir to their organization- check out Singing for Sizanani.
• Renew the Earth- This is a proactive organization for sustainability.  They are Virginia-based and may offer opportunities for students to engage in project-based learning.
• The Children of War- This is an organization I have heard about in passing.  It specifically tries to raise the level of education for "needy and disabled" children in Afghanistan.  They are located in Chantilly and may be a good organization to partner with.

I have purposefully not listed Washington D.C. organizations, but there are MANY that can be contacted to set up community or service learning opportunities or project-based learning opportunities.  Many organizations would love the free labor you can provide.  Also, many of these organization, such as Oxfam and The US Holocaust Memorial Museum, provide quality lesson plans to accompany your work with the organization.

For more localized information, visit your chamber of commerce!  They have many various lists of resources that can be helpful.