February
2008-03-13
When I was in high school, I played football, fastball, and
hockey. I wasn’t the best, but I showed
up and learned the game. Our high school
choir had a ratio of eight girls for every boy so I joined the choir. They asked me to sing solo – so low they
couldn’t hear me. Every year, I was in
drama and in grade twelve I had the opportunity to act and direct. For some unknown reason, I was always chosen
for student council and had the honor of being the “Senior Stick” in grade
twelve. Although I never fancied myself
as a leader, I was definitely a participator and now, as I reflect on my
personal experience, I have come to the conclusion that before you lead, you
must have experience in the trenches being a foot soldier.
During the
month of January, I became a member of a committee examining methods of
increasing student engagement.
Increasing student engagement, one of Prairie Spirit School Division’s
goals, can mean many things. Student
engagement may mean involvement, decision making, ownership, responsibility, or
leadership. Most of our committee’s
discussion centered on ways to get students more involved in their learning and
creating an environment where children would be equipped and inspired to become
leaders in the school and community. Of
course, this discussion caused me to ponder: How do you create leaders?
Some people
are referred to as “born leaders”, but I am not so sure leadership can be
developed by genetics alone. I will
admit there are some people who are skillful and recognized for their
expertise; however, they would sooner perish than lead. They are satisfied with being the foot
soldiers and follow while others provide the leadership. Leadership usually comes with confidence and
confidence comes with feeling skillful, feeling appreciated and taking
responsibility.
At Prairie View School,
there are many opportunities for students to develop skills, receive
recognition, and demonstrate responsibility.
The list includes cross country running, volleyball, soccer, basketball,
running club, care buddies, office helpers, chess club, math club, craft club,
singing club, science club, writer’s podium, In Motion, musical, music
festival, and Student Representative Council.
Not all students will become leaders in high school or in their adult
life, but there are many who will become leaders because they had an
opportunity to develop the requisite skills of a leader by being a
participator. For instance, they may
become coaches because they have participated in sports or they may become rock
stars because their grade five music teacher taught them how to play the
ukulele. Schools and communities should
provide a wide menu of opportunities for children to learn new skills and prepare
them for leadership opportunities as they grow older. In other words, we provide opportunities for
children to develop their leadership potential.
Another way
to create future leaders is to expose children to exemplary leadership from
people of honor, who demonstrate good communication skills, interact positively
with people, and inspire people to work together. Most accomplished leaders are quick to heap
praise and give credit on someone who inspired them to become leaders. Leaders beget leaders and usually good
leaders share leadership, recognize future leaders, and encourage potential
leaders.
In
conclusion, I would like to commend the teachers and leaders in our community
who invest their time, talents, and resources in providing opportunities for
children to develop skills, receive recognition, and develop leadership
skills. You are probably not even aware,
but there are foot soldiers following in your footsteps.
No comments:
Post a Comment