Leaders Here! Leaders There! Leaders EVERYWHERE!

Leadership is such a powerful theme and often shows up in the most unexpected ways.

Our school ended up being one of the finalists for a MakerSpace and had to prepare a brief presentation to the foundation that was going to be awarding it.  My principal approached me and my students and asked them (not even knowing about our Leadership theme for the month of March) to help out.  We brainstormed and came up with an idea to create a mock Makerspace in an empty classroom.  They researched and came up with a few different stations, woodworking, library, 3D Printer, crafting/sewing, technology, and circuitry.  They then wrote scripts to perform when everyone walked in.  I would go into more detail, but I could write a novel and I'm sure everyone is super busy...so if you wanna know the deets...just ask!

Well, we didn't get the Makerspace after all.  Our school has several different STEM related clubs and the other school, they don't offer much so they felt they were more in need.  They let us know that they had NEVER seen a presentation like that, led by students and were beyond impressed.  I received a note from the foundation that we are on the list and "you never know what could come up in the future!" so that gives us hope that we left a lasting impression on them!

Through this, we found leaders in our room.  I gave them very little direction and after each task, I asked them to think of who the leader was for the day.  Each day was someone new.  One name, Nomia, came up over and over again.  I was kind of shocked as Nomia is extremely and sometimes frighteningly shy.  But like +Alex Rigsby mentioned, leaders aren't always loud.  They complimented Nomia on her quiet leadership and how she respected each person and included everyone's ideas in the project.  She made sure everyone was heard and participated without being bossy.

Later, I asked them what leadership looked like and they created posters.  Again, keeping in mind who led the project.  We read about leaders and read quotes on leadership.  I asked them to pick one quote that really stuck out to them and why and add it to our Google Form.  I took their pictures on picture day (no uniforms and fancy lookin' kids!) and as a surprise,  I had their pictures printed with their quotes on them.  I put them in frames and as they walked in they were on their desks.  It was pretty awesome to see their faces (Watch the video and you'll see what I'm talking about!)

As we wrapped up, I asked them to think of the various tasks that they had been charged with.  I sent out another Google Form asking them to nominate someone who demonstrated leadership this year.  I printed out certificates and we had a little ceremony.  Many of the kids who were nominated, didn't think they were leaders at all.  However, when I read to them what the other students wrote about them there were a lot of smiles and a few tears.  It was pretty awesome!

I'm attaching the video and some of the things the kiddos wrote about their classmates as leaders! Enjoy!


"How Antonio shows leadership is by being nice and how he is respectful to others. You can also trust him and count on him. Antonio will not let down so you can ask him to do something and he'll do it and he'll also help you do anything. Those are some reasons Antonio is a great leader"


"Nomia showed leadership when we were making our leadership posters she helped us out with an amazing idea, and not only that she made sure that everyone was doing something that they were good at and that they were having fun and doing something good for the poster."