At Columbia College, Helen Rapoport teaches writing for print in digital media in the language and literacy divisions.
Yet, the Aiken native wanted more - finding ways that her students could make an impact on children, helping them deal with the issues of bullying and to assist them in developing a sense of empathy. Her efforts recently won her a statewide education award.
Rapoport found inspiration in Orangeburg-based Healing Species, a nonprofit that utilizes dogs to bring compassion to adults and children in ways that include violence prevention, character-based literacy and prison programs.
Adapting some of the Healing Species approaches with the approval of the nonprofit, Rapoport brought her students to a church after school.
That initiative and others were recognized last week by the S.C. Commission of Higher Education for successful service-learning projects.
"I just feel this is a group effort of our students," said Rapoport, the daughter of Aiken attorney Irene Rudnik and the late Harold Rudnick. "I'm so appreciative of the chance to do this kind of work. This is what we do at Columbia College, and it means the world to me."
All the college's sophomores are required to take a new course: Sophomore Seminar on Diversity, Gender and Social Justice.
Rapoport directs the program in partnership with the Community CMS/Ebenezer Teen After-School Program.
Kids there can feel safe, get homework assistance and help in a other ways.
Rapoport's students provide a series of 11 lessons for kids. Though a dog is brought to some of the sessions, dogs play a big role in the sessions.
"The students talk about doggie language and how it relates to the universal love of animals and empathy, breaking barriers along the way," she said.
Rapoport is amazed how the children took to the lessons and learned.
As for her college students, one said: "This course changed my life." They demonstrated real instincts in trying to educate and enlighten the children, Rapoport said.
In a press release, the Commission on Higher Education cited the efforts Rapoport and her students made in teaching the children "the confidence they needed to help in difficult situations by teaching them compassion, perseverance and resistance to negative messages."
In the release, Columbia College President Beth Dinndorf said Rapoport is an enthusiastic educator and compassionate person.
"She is beloved by our students, and we are so pleased to see her recognized for her commitment to service learning," Dinndorf said.
Senior writer Rob Novit is the Aiken Standard's education reporter.