Bruceton, Tenn. – Follow the links of Jenna Patton’s story – Spanish teacher, jewelry maker, and soon-to-be Global Studies world traveler – and the connections of care, compassion, and commitment are clear.
In September 2023, Patton accepted the role of Co-Leader/Educator with Global Citizen Adventure Corps for the Hollow Rock – Bruceton Central High School program in Costa Rica, scheduled for June 26-July 2. Her initial responsibilities included recruiting participants from the student body, their friends and family; helping them compile and complete required paperwork and scholarship applications; assisting with enrollment of students in the required course for college credit; and answering questions that emerge from recruitment to the students’ return.
With nine students now enrolled for the summer 2024 experience, she is committed to ensuring they raise the funds needed. A recent event at the Lyon’s Den in Bruceton netted nearly $1300. A portion of that included Patton’s donation of 50% of her chain sales, a crafting skill she acquired only this year but is dedicating to the support of her students as they travel.
Of the nine program participants, eight are going from her school and one from Dresden High School. As a nonprofit, GCAC accepts donations towards partial scholarship for students for whom the cost would otherwise be prohibitive. The remaining costs are covered by the students, many of whom are working part-time already. Fundraisers thus far have included coffee sales and waiting tables for tips at the Lyon’s Den.
Though Patton has been teaching Spanish for 16 years, the 2023-24 academic year is her first at HRBC. Her compassion for helping her students by contributing half her sales in her newfound craft comes from knowing firsthand what it is like to want to travel internationally but knowing financial constraints make such travel almost impossible.
Her only experience in a Spanish-speaking country was in Spain during a study abroad program on her path to becoming a teacher. Now, almost two decades later, the Camden resident is ready to “practice what she teaches.”
“I am grateful for the opportunity. I never thought I would get to travel and experience one of the many cultures of the language I’m so passionate about,” she explained. “I’ll be able to bring firsthand experiential knowledge – everyday life, not commercialization — into the classroom rather than simply relying on a picture and a PowerPoint.”
Her long tenure as a language teacher has proven to her that for students to engage in a subject it must be relevant.
“Students in rural area don’t always see the relevance of learning a foreign language and how it can benefit them professionally,” she noted. “Travel will give the opportunity to many who have never traveled outside of Tennessee to experience something outside their bubble.”
Hallmarks of the GCAC programs are the class (for transferable college credit) taken before travel which helps explain cultural norms and the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals that each program supports. Students are also asked to put in 100 hours of community service, a portion of which are completed in-country alongside partners there.
The service opportunities are another way Patton sees the travel service learning provided by GCAC as transformative.
“For example, we will be working with animals,” she said. “Some may have never thought they could be a vet tech. Helping at the animal rescue center could open their eyes to something they never thought would be on the table for them. To get them invested in learning, it has to be relevant. Otherwise, they tune you out.”
Not satisfied to be the teacher, administrator and fellow traveler, Patton modeled both service and learning as she uncovered another means of investing in her students.
Her love of jewelry but frustration at its high cost had made her curious about making her own and making it affordable to her neighbors. To further support the students who were signed up for the GCAC experience she turned to YouTube, Amazon, and Etsy, and learned how to create claspless jewelry which are delicate bracelets, anklets and necklaces in stainless, sterling silver and 14c gold filled with a selection of charms. Prices range from $15-30 for chains and $5-$10 for charms. She has committed half the price to help with the funds needed for Costa Rica 2024 and hopes to recruit more students for a GCAC excursion to Guatemala in October 2024.
For more information on how to support the current program or take part in October, contact jlfpatton@yahoo.com.
Global Citizen Adventure Corps is a 501c3 nonprofit dedicated to cultivating global citizens through education, service, and travel. By offering transferable college credit and donor-funded scholarships, GCAC actively builds pathways between rural high schools, universities, and a robust network of global nonprofit partners to provide travel program opportunities to underserved students. For more information visit www.globalcitizenadventurecorps.org.
Global Citizens Adventure Corps recognized achievements in 2023 at their January Board Summit held in Union City. Among those honored was Jenna Patton of Camden. She and Garrett Burns of McKenzie were named as Co-Leaders of the Year. Patton has helped shaped the future training materials for the new nonprofit as she has accepted responsibility for co-leading the summer program in Costa Rica. A longtime Spanish teacher and new teacher at Hollow Rock-Bruceton Central this year, she is taking eight of her students to do service learning at an animal rescue center in Costa Rica. Burn has returned from leading the Colombia program last week. Patton hopes to participate with students in the October program in Guatemala. Seen here are GCAC Co-Founder Julie Hill, Garrett Burns, Jenna Patton, and GCAC Co-Founder Stacie Freeman.