Dr. Machelle Madsen Thompson honored with the Ralph Stair Prize in Innovative Education
Dr. Machelle Madsen Thompson, an FSU College of Social Work adjunct professor and alumna, was honored for her efforts in teaching on April 27, 2015 at the FSU Faculty Awards Dinner. Machelle received the biennial Ralph Stair Prize in Innovative Education for her inventive assignments in social work that aid students in better understanding the impact of living in poverty.
“Machelle is a gifted instructor. People who observe her teaching describe her as passionate and creative in the classroom with an evident dedication to the education of her students,” Dr. Dina Wilke said about Dr. Machelle Thompson’s teaching approach.
Machelle’s immersive experience begins with a multi-media presentation surrounding prevalence and information on what people experiencing homelessness, hunger or poverty encounter. She then challenges her students to experience poverty at a global, national and personal level. Once they’ve committed to a start date, for five days the entire class gives up at least one personal first-world amenity (e.g. giving up electronics or walking everywhere). Additionally, students are asked to begin eating below the global poverty line during this time period, excluding anyone with special dietary or medical needs. For the first two days this means spending a maximum of $1.50 on food each day. For the remaining three days, the class then lives as if they have received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Plan (SNAP, formerly Food Stamp) funding, allowing them to eat up to $4.58 of food per day. During this time, the students participate in a virtual survival challenge making difficult choices as if they are a hungry mother living in India. Students keep a daily log of meals, behavioral changes, thoughts, and feelings and are encouraged to share their experiences on social media to raise awareness. It’s also recommended that any money they save on food be donated or that they volunteer at a local food bank (many choose the Florida State University Food Pantry).
The impact of this assignment has been so great that Machelle was asked to share the assignment with other social work instructors. In 2013, a request went out via the Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors (BPD) list-serve for poverty-related exercises, and Machelle’s write-up of the project was distributed to the entire BPD membership, both nationally and internationally.
Machelle continues to teach this in both Social Welfare Policy and Social Justice & Diversity undergraduate classes as the impact of the assignment continues to allow social work students to achieve greater understanding of the dynamics of poverty and the needs of their clients experiences poverty, hunger and homelessness. She is donating the monetary portion of the award to local agencies addressing hunger and homelessness.
To learn more about the assignment, contact Dr. Machelle Madsen Thompson at mthompson2@fsu.edu.