Goal Number Two - Leadership

I want my students to recognize themselves as leaders. I will arrange situations in which they will develop leadership skills.
What are my views of essential leadership skills?

1. Positive and Optimistic attitude
   
2. Willingness to serve others
   
3. Freedom from the need to be validated by others [living by ideals and virtues rather than a perception of what others think as a definition of personal identity]
4. Ability to recognize problems and needs and take positive initiative
   
5. Confidence to take risks and make mistakes
6. Courage to stand for what is true and right
7. Excellent communication skills
8. Ability to multi-task and be flexible
9. Perseverance and effective problem solving skills
10. Responsibility and willingness to acknowledge personal weaknesses
11. Discernment to prioritize correctly

One major way I deliver lessons on all of these character traits is through the study of famous role models such as George Washington Carver, Benjamin Franklin, Rachel Carson, and Martin Luther King, Jr., but I also want to emphasize the importance of identifying positive role models in our daily lives - those who live within our homes and community. Interesting thoughts on role models can be found all over the web, like the online "Women and Girls - Tech Up" where the goal is to: encourage women and girls - and the organizations which serve them - to use technology to share ideas, opinions, support, creativity and political action. They have some wonderful thoughts about what defines a role model.

I found an elementary school that actually has a program in which they develop student leaders to contribute to a positive learning environment. I like the way it is explained in their mission.