This month’s blog speaks to student leadership through active CTSO involvement. In order for a student to lead, h/she must be “active”. The developing leader or leader developed found someone who intentionally “tapped” into their intrinsic motivations. This person (the tapper) and a series of interactions (power-filled moments) required engagement from the student and for the student to act; take action; or do something while behaving in a certain way. In 2012, the Harvard Education Letter ignited a "buzz" in education circles with a report on four longitudinal studies that tried to identify common childhood characteristics for people who became leaders as adults. The report noted intrinsic motivation was found to be a key childhood characteristic among adults who became leaders. Education Week furthered the sentiments above in that,

"Leadership is the wise use of power. Power is the capacity to translate intention into reality and sustain it." -Warren Bennis, scholar, author, and pioneer in leadership studies.

You really can't be a leader without having power, which most dictionaries define as "the ability to act." So when I think of the students who’ve been “tapped”, motivated, and empowered to lead (act) in various facets of their lives began during childhood. The evidence of such is: higher levels of academic commitment and technical skill attainment, community and service learning, leadership in CTSOs, and employability skills that business and industry desire.

There are several student leaders within our school district that truly are leaders. But it started with the developer (the teacher) who early on tapped into their interests, dreams, strengths and weaknesses to cultivate the power that dwells inside each and every one of us. If I must choose one, I do have one: it is a student who is an active member of two CTSOs: Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) and SkillsUSA. The student serves as a state and national officer. The student volunteers to strengthen the relationship between law enforcement and local communities (a career interest). The student has mentored other CTSO members to confidently present, compete and WIN at FCCLA and SkillsUSA events. This student maintains an A average and has attained two industry-recognized credentials. More importantly, this student has attributed his growth (power) and achievements (power-filled moments) to his teachers (CTSO sponsors) who first modeled the behavior of a leader. He remains humble and eager to continue life-long learning as he makes strides toward graduation 2017.

When asked what successful programs my school and community offer their students, my first instinct is to list every CTSO offering, every community event, every academic/technical achievement opportunity, every mentoring program, every leadership/soft skills training program…but honestly, it is the “tap” into a students intrinsic motivations and those power-filled moments for the student to act; take action; or do something while behaving in a certain way. Real success is developing CTSO leaders, today, tomorrow, and beyond…CTSOs MATTER!