We Grow People – Profiles
of Extension Educators
We
Grow People – Profiles of Extension
Educators is a program of Cornell University
Cooperative Extension of New York City
and is supported by NIFA.
Cornell University experimented with an
approach to staff development in extension
education that centered on the development
and discussion of “practitioner profiles.” Practitioner
profiles, simply put, are first-person accounts
of what educators do, feel, and experience
in specific examples of their work. The program
began as an experiment with extension practitioners
working at an urban housing project in Harlem
and with 13 Cornell University graduate students
and one professor.
The students interviewed various extension
educators who volunteered to talk with them
and share their profiles. The educators worked
in the areas of community nutrition education,
nutrition programs, environmental issues,
new farmers/new markets urban agriculture
program, in workforce and 4-H youth development,
and in EFNEP nutrition programs. During the
educators' interviews, it was apparent that
it was difficult for them to articulate what
they do. Some said they are building people,
families, and communities. Others described
their work as organizers and brokers; schmoozers
and scavengers; cheerleaders and encouragers
of dreams; strategic planners and community
builders; partners, friends, and mothers.
The official language of “technical
assistance” and “putting knowledge
to work” by itself is far too narrow
and flat to capture the rich, varied, nuanced
practice of extension education.
The documented profiles gleaned from these
interviews can be used as the basis for either
individual or group reflection and learning
activities. The learning outcomes made possible
through creative use of practice stories
range from modest, individual insights to
a fundamental review of organization mission
and direction. The profiles from this project
reveal the essence of extension education
as it is practiced in the urban context of
New York City. But despite their urban focus
and context, educators in all settings will
find something in these profiles to learn
from and relate to.
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