Cultivating Student Leadership in the Classroom

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

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 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 negative Positive or negative Constructive or destructive Constructive or destructive Progressive or regressive Progressive or regressive Ways a leader can influence others can be…

To assist with administrative work? To organize and assist with manual tasks? To organize and assist with manual tasks? To ensure discipline, leading by example? To ensure discipline, leading by example? To assist with the decision making process? To assist with the decision making process? To allow the director to focus on the needs of the students? To allow the director to focus on the needs of the students? Are these reasons to have student leaders?

How do I develop student leaders? By teaching the tools of life By teaching students how to earn respect By teaching students how to build rapport By teaching students how to problem solve

UNDERSTANDING THE SYSTEM & SPIRIT PROCESS

Where do I start? First, you need to understand that leadership can be taught. Second, not every student leader is principle chair. The student leader could be last chair Finally, you must decide when you are comfortable turning decision making over to your student leaders. Remember, you are always the ultimate decision maker for your program.

The System

Self Analysis – the ability to objectively examine one’s own traits Self Analysis – the ability to objectively examine one’s own traits Motivation – the ability to inspire others to act Motivation – the ability to inspire others to act Respect – being held in high regards or esteem Respect – being held in high regards or esteem Problem Solving – the ability to find solutions Problem Solving – the ability to find solutions Discipline – modification of human behavior Discipline – modification of human behavior Flexibility – the ability to adapt to different situations Flexibility – the ability to adapt to different situations Which of these is the most important for developing leadership in your students?

What did I do right? What did I do right? What are some of my development opportunities? What are some of my development 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, am I being objective? Compared to others perception of me, am I being objective? Self Analysis …the ability to objectively examine one’s own traits

Motivation … the ability to inspire others to act 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.

Respect … being 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 Solving … the 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.

Discipline … modification 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.

Flexibility … the ability to adapt to different situations 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.

Self Analysis Motivation Respect Problem Solving Discipline Flexibility LEADERSHIP

If the System is in place If the System is in place then the by-product is…

Study habits Study habits Good attitudes Good attitudes Commitments Commitments Responsibility Responsibility Dependability Dependability Hard work Hard work The Spirit