I might not have the definition you expect for Student Leadership, but I am truly learning and feeling excited to see how I have worked with my students in leading a change in their community over the last 2 years.
Do I see them as students?
Yes! But most importantly, as partners.
Without their readiness to learn and active participation, our goals might not be achieved.
I had envisioned how great I would love them to be before knowing who they are. Just like every inspiring teacher does.
✅Leul Girma, Chief Operating Officer, Gebeya Inc. , Kenya
✅Joseph Nsengimana, Director, Mastercard Foundation African Centre for Innovative Teaching and learning, Rwanda
✅Mujeni Aseli, Marketing & Partnerships Director, Junior Achievement Africa, Kenya
✅Val Wiggett - Senior Director, Career Programs, African Leadership Academy
Seeing Esther Odekunle sharing her ideas and stories (in person) with these global leaders at the Teach For All Conference ( #GCKenya2023 ) is a great inspiration for me, and gives me a moment of thoughtfulness to think about #StudentLeadership again.
For me, I would say, "It is an activity of the mind, it is a reflection of every individual, it is a picture you see of yourself, it is the power of playing your role and diligently changing the narratives for every child you meet as a teacher, a leader, and a people. Student Leadership is a MINDSET, an engineered thoughtfulness, towards supporting a child or a group of students to discover who they are– identifying their strengths and weaknesses, and truly believing in their potential to lead change as they find clarity on their journey.
Student Leadership is a journey that gives every student a sense of "Yes, I can", and the courage to live out of their imaginations to lead change in any little way they can.
Setting these goals is sometimes scary, but persevering to see it come to reality is truly rewarding and fulfilling. We are still not there yet, we will get there someday soon by the Grace of God.
Congratulations, Esther and thanks for sharing our stories with the world. Balikis and Isaac will be so proud to see this. Likewise, your student-colleagues, teachers, family and the entire community.
I feel proud and privileged to have been part of your story. Thank you, and don't give up on this journey. It can always get better.
Thanks to Sanaya, Tarek, Folawe, Wendy, and every leader who kept supporting the vision, playing their roles and believing in the power of the #Voices of young people.
Afeez Olalekan SAKA ©2023
#Sakaspeaks #TeachforAll #TeachforNigeria #SLAC2022 #StudentVoiceAccelerator #FutureofWorkInitiative
Comments
Post a Comment