Over the past several weeks, I’ve had the opportunity to travel across Michigan facilitating our Leadership Training Institutes and, most recently, our UP Leadership Workshop. Eight locations so far, more than 1,500 student leaders, and three more stops still to go!
That’s a lot of students, a lot of conversations, and enough teenage energy to power a small Michigan city.
Through the leadership challenges, group discussions, creative problem-solving, and opportunities to connect with students from other schools, I’ve been reminded just how much influence our student leaders can have on the overall school experience.
And I’m not just talking about the students involved in Student Council, NHS, or leadership classes. I’m thinking about the freshman still trying to find their place, the student who doesn’t feel connected to anything at school, or the student with a great idea who isn’t sure anyone would listen.
Those students might never attend one of our leadership conferences, but they can absolutely benefit from the students who do.
Building School Culture WITH Students
Throughout our workshops, we’ve challenged students to take a closer look at their school cultures. What makes students feel connected? What prevents others from getting involved? Are we creating opportunities for everyone, or are we unintentionally reaching the same groups of students over and over?
I’ve been impressed with the conversations taking place and, more importantly, the willingness of students to acknowledge where their schools could improve.
One of the biggest takeaways from these experiences is that students don’t need to wait for a new initiative or permission to start making a difference. They can influence the relationships, interactions, and opportunities that shape the daily experience of their classmates. We just need to help them figure out where to start.
As you continue working with your leadership groups this year, here are three ideas worth bringing into your next meeting.
- Look Beyond Your Leadership Circle
Ask your students: “Who at our school isn’t experiencing the same sense of connection and belonging that we are?”
Have them identify three groups of students they don’t regularly hear from. Then work together to find ways to reach those students, learn about their experiences, and create opportunities for greater involvement. We can’t improve the student experience if we’re only hearing from students who are already connected.
- Measure More Than Participation
We love a packed gym, a successful Homecoming, and a great fundraiser. Those are important accomplishments! But attendance and participation don’t always tell the whole story.
After your next event or initiative, ask students: “Who benefited from what we just did, and who might we have missed?”
It’s a simple question that can lead to better planning, more inclusive activities, and a stronger understanding of how your council impacts the school community.
- Put One Good Idea Into Action
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from these workshops, it’s that students have no shortage of ideas. Give them five minutes and a few markers, and they’ll redesign half the school!
The harder part is turning those ideas into something that actually happens.
At your next meeting, challenge students to identify one realistic action they can take in the next two weeks to improve someone’s experience at school. Maybe it’s welcoming new students, creating a better way to gather student feedback, or connecting with a group that rarely participates. Identify who’s responsible, establish a timeline, and check back on the results.
The Bigger Picture
After eight stops and more than 1,500 students, I’m excited about what I’ve seen and even more encouraged by what’s possible.
We spend a lot of time discussing school improvement, student success, and the importance of building positive school cultures. Sometimes we overlook one of the greatest resources we have to support that work: the students sitting in our classrooms every day.
As advisers, we have an opportunity to help students see their leadership responsibilities as something bigger than planning events, organizing meetings, or managing projects. The skills they’re developing can help create stronger relationships, more welcoming environments, and better opportunities for their classmates across the entire school district.
And that’s why the work you’re doing with your students matters so much. Our students don’t have to change the entire school overnight, but they can change someone’s experience tomorrow – and that’s a pretty great place to start!