Coaching Students to be Leaders of Tomorrow
One of the most satisfying things about being a teacher is watching your students grow up and become leaders and change-makers in the real world. Knowing that you had a role in shaping them is
greatly fulfilling.
Building great leaders begins in the classroom and you have the most important role to play in it. Leadership requires knowledge but it does not end there. Leadership also requires communication skills, problem-solving skills, and emotional skills.
With a few tips and resources, you will be able to cultivate these skills within your classroom.
● Team Activities and Collaboration
There are a number of traits which are associated with good leaders. Leaders should be able to work well with a team, motivating team members. A leader should be able to take accountability and manage stress.
A good way to develop these traits early on is by getting students involved in group projects. Form teams, assign a leader, and give them a project to complete. The student leading the team would have to delegate tasks, consider the opinions of all students before making decisions, and motivate team members to complete their tasks. This will also teach them about collaboration, time-management, and being accountable for the actions of the team. All these are qualities which a leader in the real world will have to demonstrate.
The important thing is to give every student a chance to be a leader. Even an introverted student can develop leadership skills if given a chance.
● Build their Self-confidence through Positive Reinforcements
Confidence is one trait that can make or break a leader. As a leader, you are expected to show the way to others around you. But if you are not confident about yourself, and it shows, others are less likely to listen to what you have to say.
Your position as a teacher enables you to build the self-esteem of your students. Be mindful of the language you use in class. Do not speak harshly if a student has not performed well on a test. Set realistic expectations for your students based on their abilities.
Identify students who are struggling with self-esteem and give them responsibilities within the classroom. When you set short-term goals, each achievement will give students a boost of self-confidence.
● Be a Leader Yourself
No matter what you tell your students, none of it will matter if you don’t show leadership qualities. Students learn by example so you need to make sure you are setting a good one. Take the time to improve your own leadership skills. There are abundant resources for this in the form of books, videos, and online courses.
Carry yourself with confidence in the classroom. A small practice that can help with this greatly is being well-prepared for your lessons. Without preparation, you may seem unsure and stressed.
Communicate clearly and effectively with students and learn how to handle conflicts in the classroom without losing your cool. Watching these traits in you will inspire students to follow the same path.