Throughout my years in education, I’ve seen just how transformative powerful leadership can be. Not just among staff, but among students too! Every day, we work tirelessly on honing our leadership skills and striving to be better. Have you ever paused to consider nurturing those same skills in the young minds we are placed in charge of? Yes, even in kids as young as preschool!
Student leadership isn’t just another box to check. It’s essential. It equips our kids with skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, effective communication, and teamwork. And guess what? When students step into leadership roles, they’re more engaged, they enjoy learning, and they carry a can-do attitude that lights up the classroom.
But here’s a reality check: sometimes we throw up roadblocks. Maybe we think a student is too young, too unruly, or just not hitting the academic marks. When we do that, we’re the ones standing in their way.
I remember seeing this firsthand as a fourth and fifth grade teacher. I was tasked with creating a Student Council on our campus. As someone who is passionate about finding the leader within us all, I immediately jumped at the opportunity. But I had no idea what I was doing! I had served on student council in high school, but I’d never led as an advisor for younger students.
So, I started googling and one of the first things that came up was TEPSA’s Student Leadership Workshops. I was drawn in right away because this day-long training also included a component for ME, the adult! And I knew I needed the help.
Attending that workshop didn’t just open my eyes—it blew me away. The impact was so profound I hosted the event on my own campus the following year. Not only did it help me understand my role as the Student Council advisor, but it also helped all my students understand what exactly they were supposed to do.
Whether it was organizing food drives, leading meetings, or even adopting a piece of the highway to clean up, I watched the students grow and blossom in ways I couldn’t have predicted.
As I stepped in to the role of a principal, I carried this student-empowerment mindset with me. It’s crucial to recognize that every single student has a leader inside them just waiting to be discovered.
This belief is what drove Adam Dovico and me to write our book, When Kids Lead. We found tons of resources to enhance our leadership but noticed a gaping hole when it came to developing our students. So, we laid down our experiences and strategies as a roadmap for others eager to nurture young leaders.
Our book dives deep into empowering kids through responsibility, boosting their confidence, fostering creativity, honing their communication skills, and instilling a sense of service and empathy. We don’t just cover the classroom basics; we explore how these principles can be applied at home too.
Empowerment through Responsibility
It’s not just about giving orders or sitting back; it’s about entrusting kids with real. Whether it’s in school or at home, involving them in decisions or letting them spearhead a project can ignite a powerful sense of ownership.
Building Confidence
It’s amazing what a little practice and a lot of positive reinforcement can do. Even the smallest leadership roles can give kids a major boost in self-esteem. And when they feel good about themselves? Well, they’re set up for success in every area of their lives.
Fostering Creativity and Innovation
Leadership isn’t just about maintaining the status quo; it’s about thinking outside the box and solving problems in new ways. When kids lead, they learn to brainstorm, to dream big, and to come up with solutions that might just surprise you.
Developing Communication Skills
You can’t lead without it. Effective leaders know how to share their ideas clearly and listen to others. That’s why we focus on teaching kids the art of communication. Whether they’re giving a presentation or simply sharing their thoughts, being articulate is key.
Encouraging Service and Empathy
Leadership is as much about serving others as it is about leading them. Our approach includes teaching kids the value of community service and understanding diverse perspectives, which enriches them and their communities.
Think about it—from morning meetings to social media interns, from school ambassadors to student-led workshops, leadership opportunities are everywhere. And we cover all those ideas and more in When Kids Lead. Remember, true leaders aren’t always the first to volunteer or the loudest in the room. They come in all shapes and personalities.
This year, as you look out at your students, see the leadership potential in each of them—the lively kindergartner, the struggling fifth grader, the detached eighth grader. Every one of them has the potential to shine, and you have the key to unlock it.
Let’s make it our mission to not just teach, but to inspire and empower. Here’s to a year of nurturing leaders who will change the world!
Todd Nesloney is the Director of Culture and Strategic Leadership
