But some days I worry about their general understanding of the importance of student leadership organizations.
For the past three days I have been at the Educating for Careers conference in Sacramento. Multiple workshops were related to student leadership organizations. Now, I'm obviously very partial to FFA, but there are others like SkillsUSA that seem to be very purposeful and effective as well. The weirdness has been from the teachers in the workshops and their questions during them. It is amazing some of the questions people ask about why we need these organizations and if they actually impact our pathway. People just don't get it, they seem oblivious to the benefits of student leadership.
Apparently, I have taken it for granted because its completely ridiculous to me, to teach without built in student leadership. Is it easier to teach with students who take ownership, or to ask to do more? Uhhhh hello, of course it is!!! Does it occasionally require more work outside of class time for a teacher? Yep! But impacting kids and giving them the opportunity to take ownership and experience student leadership is invaluable, Money can't buy that...
The day prior to this conference, I took students to the UC Davis Field Day. Now, by no fault of theirs, I messed up registration. I am definitely not proud of this and when I told the kids my story, they laughed at me (thankfully). Instead of saying forget it, lets sleep in, THEY asked if we could still go and see what the campus had to offer. When kids offer to get up early, wear a uniform and want to tour a college... You say yes! We went and ended up touring and even attended a workshop at their Bee Facility. It was awesome! They learned about a new industry and one was even inspired to start planning her next agriscience project. This day did not go as planned, but it actually turned out better than I could have planned. That is the purpose of a student leadership organization.
It's the buy-in
It's the dedication
It's the inspiration to do more
It's the teamwork
It's the consideration for others
It's the drive to be successful
It's the fun days
It's the hard days
That's the purpose...
"Desire is the key to motivation, but it's determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal - a commitment to excellence - that will enable you to attain the success you seek." Mario Andretti
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