Symposium on Developing Student Leadership

The Westminster Schools, Atlanta, GA
Friday, April 27th (4pm - 9pm) &
Saturday, April 28th (9am - 3:30pm)

Representatives from four schools with exemplary student leadership programs will present their curriculum and share ideas. Participants and presenters will note what all leadership programs have in common, and how leadership development might differ depending on school climate, school population and other factors. Our goal is to help schools identify those qualities that are essential to school leadership programs, and unique program qualities that can be adapted to fit another school culture, or omitted. Programs are aimed at middle and upper school leadership development.

About the presenting schools

St. Michaels University School, Victoria, British Columbia

St. Michaels has done innovative work pulling together leaders and leadership opportunities from throughout the school, and empowers students in imaginative ways. Keven Fletcher, chaplain and leadership coordinator at St. Michaels University School in Victoria, British Columbia, will present. 

Kent Place School, Summit, NJ

Dr. Karen Rezach is director of the middle school and director of the Ethics Institute at Kent Place School. She will focus on Kent Place’s program for development of leadership at the middle and upper school level.

The Rivers School, Weston, MA

The Rivers School in Weston, Massachusetts is now in its 11th year of an initiative to help all middle school students develop leadership skills. One foundational question is "How are you leading yourself every day?" All faculty members are involved with the leadership training program, and they continue to focus on how they can make it better. The program is deeply integrated into the middle school curriculum, but includes an overnight session for 8th graders and three days of activities for all students at the beginning of each school year. Susie McGee, head of the middle school, will present.

Episcopal Day School, Augusta, GA

The leadership training program at Episcopal Day School in Augusta, Georgia, works progressively through earlier grades to prepare students for roles at the school by the time they reach 8th grade. EDS's sequenced, multidisciplinary leadership curriculum provides authentic leadership development to every student. Each 7th and 8th grader completes two semesters of leadership classes emphasizing practical tools for influence through group activities and case studies, supported by video analysis and rubric-based feedback for every student. Four week-long trips provide additional opportunities for self-discovery, including a four-night Outward Bound experience in fall of 8th grade. 

Agenda

 

Friday, April 27

4:00-4:30pm Welcome, Participant Introductions

4:30-6:00pm Karen Rezach, Kent Place School

6:00-7:00pm Dinner

7:00-8:30pm Ezra Adams, Ned Murray, Episcopal Day School

8:30-8:50pm Program Essentials, David Streight

 

Saturday, April 28

9:00-10:30am Keven Fletcher, St. Michaels University School

10:30-10:45am Break

10:45-12:00 Resource Sharing, Q&A

12:00-1:00pm Lunch

1:00-2:30pm Susie McGee, Rivers School

2:30-3:00pm Evaluations, Final Comments

 

 

Accommodations

The Westminster Schools recommend The Courtyard Vinings Hotel, for it's close proximity (3 miles from the school), affordability and local restaurants. See directions from the Courtyard Vinings to The Westminster Schools here.