Systems not Superheroes: Making Service Learning Sustainable (featuring Crystal Pottebaum)

We’re kicking off the new year with inspiration and practical ideas for building sustainable service learning systems in schools!

In this episode, we’re joined by Crystal Pottebaum, Service Learning and Sustainability Coordinator at the International School of Debrecen, Hungary. Crystal shares her journey from classroom teacher to K–12 coordinator and reflects on what it really takes to design programs that last.

Together, we explore:

• Why human connection is essential in education today
• How to move from mission statements to meaningful action
• Building service learning systems that don’t rely on one person
• Creating buy-in, celebrating small wins, and sustaining change over time
• The joy found in real-world learning from community partnerships to school gardens.

This conversation is especially valuable for educators and leaders who are starting the year ready to rethink service learning, sustainability, and how schools can live their values through purposeful programming.

Check out Crystal’s Padlet for building service learning programs here and her children's books below:

Laney's Little Lamb - Amazon or USA-based distribution.

Pass it to Rizwana (Amazon)

As always, we’d love to hear from more educators doing meaningful work. If you have experiences to share, reach out and join the conversation!