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| Jayden answers a question. |
Reading again from the Art of Possibility by Benjamin and Rosamund Zander, chapters 5-8, we are encouraged to “lead from any chair”. Each of us wears a variety of leadership hats within the time of a day, week, month, year, even a lifetime. As parents, we lead our children; we are role models for how to behave within and outside of the family structure. As teachers, we model for our students how to embrace the learning process and to achieve it’s intended goals. As community members we work to integrate with and invite others to come together for the greater good. Active participation is the key. Participation is only a first step. Being active is vital to effective leadership.
Mr. Zander describes how he began to give “the floor” over to his musicians, to better listen to and understand what they might add to the process of playing and performing music. He presented them with permission to access the leadership position. I find myself in this situation in the classroom too. I try to recognize the best moments to maneuver students into position such that when they “take the floor”, their classmates are waiting to hear what they have to say, and respond with the expectation of leadership from the student. This is a means of promoting positive self-esteem and confidence for students.
Successful attempts at leadership in the classroom, whether reading a sentence correctly, or explaining a definition, helps students realize their potential for leadership. With ample opportunities to shine, they may increase participation in activities in other classrooms, or out in their community. As teachers, we help to determine “who is present” when we have the expectation and allow the opportunity that all students can and will “take the floor” from time to time.
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| Two students lead a class discussion. |
I like your description of effective leadership beginning with active participation. I myself, have felt like this year I have been isolated from my school community due to running home everyday to complete assignments for Fullsail! However, I believe I have been more active in my studies for it. Unfortunately, I have missed out on a lot of student games because of it. I feel like if students see you in the crowd at their events, they know that you care and therefore will care more about what you are trying to do for them. Active participation in your community is key!
ReplyDeleteI love it when I see students interacting with each other. I also love when students make a point to tell me something they know, even though I know the answer. For instance, when they know something that pertains to any kind of technology, they really make a big case of demonstrating their knowledge about the tech topic. I just let them explain. When I say, "I didn't know that. Wow!!" They are so please with themselves.
ReplyDeleteAnn,
ReplyDeleteGiving students a leadership role is so very important. We not only are giving them opportunities to shine, but we can learn from what they teach us. Everything in this world is a collaborative process. Teaching is not only done by the teachers; everyone is a teacher. Knowing when to wear the leadership hat, and when to take it off is what we need to learn. If we always wear the leadership hat, we might close ourselves off to learning new things and becoming better at who we are and what we do. I like that you give your students opportunities to show their potential for leadership. I also appreciate that you are looking for potential and not automatically assuming that every student has the leadership role already bred into them. You are giving everyone a fair chance to show who they truly are!