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The Tucker Foundation staff and many other Dartmouth College colleagues have a longstanding commitment to a common goal — helping Dartmouth students develop good habits of the heart, mind, body, and spirit. In Tucker Points and in other forms of communication we will highlight new and enhanced collaborative initiatives that intentionally reflect this common goal. Collaboration like fellowship, service, and leadership provides those involved with the opportunity to entrust ourselves to others. Entrusted and engaged we better enhance change and reflect our humanity. In particular,Tucker Points will include a column dedicated to collaborative initiatives that serve to develop student volunteers and leaders.

The Dartmouth Community Services staff embarked on new outreach efforts this fall with other Dartmouth College colleagues in the areas of volunteerism and leadership. The Tucker Foundation staff and many highly dedicated students are committed to creating and serving collaborative partnerships and circles. One of many intended outcomes of collaborative circles is that Dartmouth students and community partners will experience more seamless interactions and opportunities, serving both of their needs better.

In the spirit of volunteerism and collaborative outreach, Tucker Points is highlighting a Hopkins Center program known as START (Student Teachers in the ARTs) dedicated to providing a community service partnership between Dartmouth students and area teachers.

START (Student Teachers in the ARTs)
Propelled by the imaginations and dedication of STARTs Dartmouth student volunteers

This partnership among the Hopkins Center, Dartmouth students and area teachers enriches the classroom curriculum with innovative and fun arts activities. Approximately 100 START volunteers integrate the arts in classrooms each year, touching nearly 1,000 students in a 30- mile radius. A sampling of recent classroom programs that Dartmouth students teach include creative writing, painting, photography, dance,“kid-written” musical theater productions, arts-with-science sessions, and much more.

The matching of enthusiastic Dartmouth students with local teachers and their classes results in a multitude of benefits for the children, the teachers and the volunteers themselves. The START program has the ability to assist with:

• Continuing and/or restoring arts education in area classrooms
• Creating connections between Dartmouth and the Upper Valley community
• Sharing the tremendous wealth of ideas and experiences of Dartmouth students
• Encouraging college students to consider the field of teaching and/or what volunteering means to them
• Developing meaningful and exciting bonds between Dartmouth students and area children

The START program is offered during the fall, winter and spring terms at Dartmouth College. Students and teachers in the program have the option of participating in any or all the terms. Each term teachers are paired with student volunteers based on areas of interest and schedules. Dartmouth students then teach one hour once a week for approximately five to seven weeks.

Questions? Contact Joe Clifford at (603) 646-2010 or via email at