Reflections on Leadership
The ability for junior high students to lead the elementary school communities in which they are a part is a powerful and amazing gift. Although students at this age level are often written off for being young, the passion, enthusiasm, and energy they have can inspire great things in a community. As a teacher, I believe that my role lies in facilitating, supporting, and finding opportunities that will allow these students to learn how to lead effectively.
Leadership is fundamentally based on the ability to communicate ones ideas effectively, and therefore junior high students must be coached (and sometimes pushed) into public speaking experiences and formal interactions with peers and adults. How to shake another person’s hand, how to stand up straight and project ones voice, and how to positively interact with others is essential to growth and development. I try to give my students every opportunity to voice their thoughts and opinions during class and in presentations, because it is only with practice and encouragement that comfort and confidence will come. Additionally, promoting positive and proper social interaction where students are expected to make eye contact, avoid slang, and speak clearly will enhance communication skills.
As a teacher, it is important to reflect these social skills on a daily basis. Setting an example for students is essential to teaching, because actions speak infinitely louder than words. Interactions with colleagues should be professional, conversations with students should command eye contact and language, and classroom demeanor should reflect confidence. Respectful and collaborative work on professional teams will also It is only in observing these positive qualities that students will learn their effectiveness.
Empowering students with supplementary enhancements to daily lessons on how to effectively communicate, lead, and problem solve all help students to grow into leaders. Giving the power of action back to students allows them to come up with creative and innovative ideas, and the fruition and actualization of their ideas will not only encourage but also inspire them. As teachers we must lead by example while empowering students to take action and think big.
Leadership is fundamentally based on the ability to communicate ones ideas effectively, and therefore junior high students must be coached (and sometimes pushed) into public speaking experiences and formal interactions with peers and adults. How to shake another person’s hand, how to stand up straight and project ones voice, and how to positively interact with others is essential to growth and development. I try to give my students every opportunity to voice their thoughts and opinions during class and in presentations, because it is only with practice and encouragement that comfort and confidence will come. Additionally, promoting positive and proper social interaction where students are expected to make eye contact, avoid slang, and speak clearly will enhance communication skills.
As a teacher, it is important to reflect these social skills on a daily basis. Setting an example for students is essential to teaching, because actions speak infinitely louder than words. Interactions with colleagues should be professional, conversations with students should command eye contact and language, and classroom demeanor should reflect confidence. Respectful and collaborative work on professional teams will also It is only in observing these positive qualities that students will learn their effectiveness.
Empowering students with supplementary enhancements to daily lessons on how to effectively communicate, lead, and problem solve all help students to grow into leaders. Giving the power of action back to students allows them to come up with creative and innovative ideas, and the fruition and actualization of their ideas will not only encourage but also inspire them. As teachers we must lead by example while empowering students to take action and think big.