A story told from experience
Leadership — a concept taught in the context of businesses yet never taught in the context of education.
Schools today are pushing students to think and inspire like a leader. But not just any leader, the next business leader, the next CEO. But, what about becoming the next educational leader, the next elementary or high school teacher?
There’s nothing wrong with inspiring the next generation of students and guiding them on a path to become the next CEO. However, for the next generation of students who wish to become the next teacher, professor, principal, dean, etc… the lack of leadership taught in this field is concerning.
Corporate Leadership
In school, students are constantly being exposed to group projects such as reports or presentations. Usually, students are able to build their communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills through these activities. These group projects are vital to a student’s character development because they provide the unique opportunity for a student to take initiative and step up as the leader of their group in the face of a challenge. Essentially, these projects are molding students into the leaders of tomorrow.
Within these group projects, there’s usually a case or a problem at hand, and students are encouraged to approach these problems from the perspective of a management team. There’s a variety of case studies, books, and reports for what makes a good management team. Many of the case studies that I’ve done at school revolves around the results of management decisions such as capital allocation, corporate strategy, or employee treatment.
Speaking of employee treatment, it’s a key component of any business purpose. The emphasis on employee treatment has been amplified throughout the pandemic as well resulting in talent retention becoming a great asset. That’s why traits such as passion, motivation, engagement, reliability are so valuable in a business leader — because these are the traits that other people want to work with.
Now the question is… what kind of leadership is present in today’s elementary or high schools?
Educational Leadership
Before we get started, I want to preface that the spotlight is on elementary and high schools because I believe that is where a student’s development is most malleable. It is where a teacher can turn a delinquent into a star. Instead of students, let’s talk about the teachers and how their impact on students.
A major discrepancy between teachers and students is recognition. In school, there are always praises and awards for students such as “Athlete Of The Year” or “Biology Award” and the “Valedictorian.” But, where is “Teacher Of The Year?” In the NBA, there are multiple awards that honor the players such as Most Valuable Player, Most Improved Player, and Scoring Leader as well as an award for the coaches called “Coach Of The Year.” Perhaps elementary and high schools should adopt a similar reward system to motivate and appreciate the teachers.
The Impact Of Teachers
The time that a person spends in elementary school and high school plays a pivotal role in their development whether that be emotionally, socially, intellectually, or even physically. When I was a student, these were the years when I started learning about who I wanted to be in the future. Not just the career aspect, but also how I wanted to treat others, how I wanted to perceive the world, and what my purpose in life is.
Throughout my time in elementary and high school, I noticed that on average I spent equally or even more time with my teachers than my own parents. Given this amount of time, the teacher was essentially like a third parent.
The third parent concept is a perfect way of describing just how much impact a teacher can have on a student’s life if done right.
On the surface, it seems like a teacher’s role is simple. They are handed a curriculum and are told to reiterate that curriculum through a set number of lessons to the class while ensuring minimal disruptions. However, it takes much more than that to be an effective teacher and leader for the students.
This is where business leader material can translate into educational leader material. Traits such as inspiration, engagement, judgment, and passion need to be present so that these teachers can play their role in a student’s life.
The Administration
Other than teachers, there’s also a principal and one or more vice principals. While teachers lead each class, these people lead the entire school. Whenever a student gets called down to the “office” it’s always followed with a negative connotation. People always assume it’s related to trouble. The negative interpretation of the principal’s office is a result of poor leadership — a leadership that has earned the fear of students instead of their respect.
There are countless times where I see principals or vice-principals roaming the hallways, making sure every student who had class was in class. Their behavior reminds me of prison officers. I can’t remember the last time the administration actually motivated or inspired students to go to class and do well in their academic journies. All I remembered was the countless scolding sessions that happened between student and principal/vice principal.
They fail to tell students the “why” because they only focus on “what” they should do.
Respect and Teamwork
Between the students and the staff, the feeling of being in a team should be present. Although students have a responsibility to go to class, they shouldn’t feel obliged to go because they fear the consequences. Instead, they should want to go and the teacher plus any other staff play a huge part in this.
In order for a teacher to do their job effectively, there must be some bond established between a student and a teacher. Through this bond, respect and rapport will be built which helps the learning process. Just like how students need to take an extra step to get an “A” on their report card, teachers should take an extra step to help on top of just reiterating a curriculum.
The Bad Apples
Every year, there will always be troublemakers just like how there will always be a few stand-out straight-A students. It’s up to the teachers and administration to properly help these students.
Oftentimes, troublemakers are seen in the midst of some sort of punishment for their mischief — whether that be detention, in the office, or being scolded. At times, punishment is acceptable, but there should always be some sort of help.
This is where a teacher’s value really lies — in the transformation of their students. With the proper amount of guidance and support, these “bad apples” can turn into rising stars as well.
In high school, it is so easy for a student to make a wrong turn and stumble down the wrong path in life. Teachers should contribute to protecting these students and lead them on a virtuous path.
A Great Teacher
When parents decide to drop their kids off at school, the obvious purpose is for the kids to learn something — that’s what school is for. But the “something” is what separates a good teacher from a great teacher.
A good teacher will teach the curriculum and by the end of the semester, the student would have gained all the concepts taught in class building onto their knowledge base. A great teacher will not only teach the curriculum but will transform a student’s life and play an integral role in a student’s personal development.
My high school law teacher would be the perfect example of a transformative teacher. What made him so effective was how well he got along with the students. It was clear that he genuinely cared about how the students were performing and made an honest attempt to become friends with everyone. These efforts were unrelated to the curriculum or even how he taught it. It’s his personality — he was funny, genuine, caring, patient, empathetic, inspiring, and experienced. He knew how to deal with different behaviors and how to guide students down the right path. Even with the troublemakers, he found a way to build rapport with them. Through these relationships, students respected him and most importantly, liked him enough to go to class, stay in class, and do well while being put on the right path of growth.
The parents of students have entrusted the staff of a school to educate, lead, guide, and inspire their kids. The administration and teachers of elementary and secondary schools owe it to these parents to properly lead and educate each and every one of their students.
