Cultivating Student Leadership in the Classroom

Cultivating Cultivating Student Student

Leadership in Leadership in the Classroomthe Classroom

Leadership: simply Leadership: simply stated, is someone stated, is someone who has the ability who has the ability to alter the behavior to alter the behavior of others.of others.

Who can be a leader?Who can be a leader?

A student who has desire and interest in your program?

A student who always wants to help?

A student who doesn't seem to care?

A student that is shy and never talks?

What roles can be filled by What roles can be filled by student leaders?student leaders?

Concert set up

Instrument Rentals

Music Library Ticket sales

Programs

Attendance

Ushering

Permission slips

Sight reading Music

Repairs

Student conducting Rehearsal set up

Positive or negativePositive or negative

Constructive or Constructive or destructivedestructive

Progressive or Progressive or regressiveregressive

Ways a leader can Ways a leader can influence others can influence others can

be… be…

To assist with administrative work?To assist with administrative work?

To organize and assist with manual To organize and assist with manual tasks?tasks?

To ensure discipline, leading by To ensure discipline, leading by example?example?

To assist with the decision To assist with the decision making process?making process?

To allow the director to focus To allow the director to focus on the needs on the needs of the of the students?students?

Are these reasons to Are these reasons to have student leaders?have student leaders?

How do I develop How do I develop student leaders?student leaders?

By teaching the tools of life

By teaching students how to earn respect

By teaching students how to build rapportBy teaching students how to problem

solve

UNDERSTANDING THE UNDERSTANDING THE SYSTEM & SPIRIT SYSTEM & SPIRIT

PROCESSPROCESS

Where do I start?Where do I start?

First, you need to understand that leadership can be taught.

Second, not every student leader is principle chair. Thestudent leader could be last chair

Finally, you must decide when you are comfortableturning decision making over to your student leaders.Remember, you are always the ultimate decision maker for your program.

The SystemThe System

Self Analysis – the ability to objectively Self Analysis – the ability to objectively examine examine one’s own traitsone’s own traits

Motivation – the ability to inspire others to actMotivation – the ability to inspire others to act Respect – being held in high regards or Respect – being held in high regards or

esteemesteem Problem Solving – the ability to find solutionsProblem Solving – the ability to find solutions Discipline – modification of human behaviorDiscipline – modification of human behavior Flexibility – the ability to adapt to different Flexibility – the ability to adapt to different

situationssituations

Which of these is the most important for developing

leadership in your students?

What did What did II do right? do right? What are some of What are some of mymy development development

opportunities?opportunities? Was my pacing too fast or too slow?Was my pacing too fast or too slow? Should I try a different approach?Should I try a different approach? Am I spending enough time perfecting technique?Am I spending enough time perfecting technique? How could I create more interest in this lesson?How could I create more interest in this lesson? Am I open to constructive feedback?Am I open to constructive feedback?

Compared to others perception of me, Compared to others perception of me, am I am I being objective?being objective?

Self AnalysisSelf Analysis……the ability to objectively examine the ability to objectively examine

one’s own traitsone’s own traits

MotivationMotivation… … the ability to inspire others to the ability to inspire others to

actact This is influenced by you, the teacher.

Do you want to be there? Do you care about your subject matter? Do you care about the students in front of you?

Students can sense your perception of them and the enthusiasm you have for your subject area.

Your enthusiasm can be contagious. Remember, students cannot be

motivated, they motivate themselves but student leaders can de-motivate others.

RespectRespect… … being held in high regards or esteembeing held in high regards or esteem

Respect cannot be demanded or forced. Do you have a particular skill? Do you have certain knowledge? Do you have a particular interest?

Student leaders must model what is expected of other class members.

Student leaders must not perceive themselves as being superior.

Remember, students leaders are not effective when they boss other around rather than help other improve in their skills.

Problem SolvingProblem Solving… … the ability to find solutionsthe ability to find solutions

As problems arise, student leaders are faced with the challenge of finding solutions.

What is the problem? Is there a logical solution? How will this solution effect others in the class?

Students leaders need to understand that quick and careless decisions can have major repercussions.

Remember, good leaders are sensitive to other people’s feeling and are cautious about prejudging others motives .

DisciplineDiscipline… … modification of human behaviormodification of human behavior

This is perhaps the most perplexing challenge that faces a young student leader.

They can’t solve a problem until they understand the cause.

Problems usually arise form inefficiency, disorganization, and lack of communication.

Student leaders often assume that negative behavior signifies a bad attitude or lack of concern

Student leaders need to learn the difference between a negative approach and a positive approach when dealing with discipline.

Student leaders need to learn to gather all of the facts and not prejudge or make false assumptions.

Student leaders must learn that each situation is unique and must be treated as such.

FlexibilityFlexibility… … the ability to adapt to different the ability to adapt to different

situationssituations Student leaders’ role can vary.

Rehearsal mode vs. concert mode? Sectionals or conducting? Inventory or copying music?

It is the Directors job to establish a line of communication with student leaders.

Remember: The Director is the ultimate authority and administrator, and must be supported by the student leaders.

Motivation

Self Analysis

Respect

DisciplineDiscipline

Flexibility

Problem Solving

LEADERSHIP

If the System is in placeIf the System is in place then theby-product is…

Study habitsStudy habits Good attitudesGood attitudes CommitmentsCommitments ResponsibilityResponsibility DependabilityDependability Hard workHard work

The SpiritThe Spirit