Leadership in Lower School

BY TRACY WHITFIELD, LOWER SCHOOL DEAN OF STUDENTS

LOWER SCHOOL STUDENTS may be young, but they have mighty leadership skills! It is encouraging to watch them foster the gifts that God has given them. At The Bear Creek School, our young learners have many opportunities to practice leadership.

Each fall our students participate in our all-school Hopelink Food Drive. In 2022, each Lower School classroom selected two students as representatives for their class. These kindergarten – grade 4 students helped to create posters advertising the event, speak to their classes about the opportunity, make public announcements, and count the donated items. The enthusiasm that these student leaders shared with their peers helped encourage compassion and giving!

In our Reading Buddies program, two classrooms from different grade levels are matched up and students take turns reading to each other. This nurtures and inspires a love of literature, provides oral reading practice, and gives opportunity to practice communication and public speaking while making connections in the school community beyond their classmates. Often the older students step into this wonderful leadership opportunity and become role models for their younger peers. It is so rewarding to see their care as they help guide their younger buddies in reading and encourage them in their progress.

Grade 4 and grade 2 reading buddies

Courtesy Photo

Throughout the school day, teachers and classroom assistants see leadership demonstrated both in and out of the classroom. For example, some older students have found opportunities to serve without being asked. Every morning before school, during drop-off supervision, some grade 4 students have started serving the younger students by helping them learn new games, demonstrating the morning routines, encouraging as they play, and helping to clean up. These students are showing their passion to serve by being thoughtful leaders.

Every Tuesday during Chapel, our Lower School students step into leadership roles. Students help lead worship, collect the offering, and lead pledges.

Our Growing in Virtue awards highlight virtues that our students demonstrate, and this celebration becomes a terrific example for their peers.

Throughout the year, our young students continue to show their leadership skills. As a school, we love highlighting leadership opportunities and showing

that everyone has leadership potential. We celebrate each individual’s gifts and how God created him or her uniquely.

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.”

~John Quincy Adams