creating the gslp Fostering Leadership Through Curricular Design National Conference on Girls Education February 2012 Kristin Ryan Rob Mather

MISSION STATEMENT Dana Hall School is committed to fostering excellence in academics, the arts, and athletics, within a vibrant, caring community. With emphasis on integrity leadership, diversity, and service as well as on respect for self and others, Dana Hall provides its students with a unique opportunity to prepare themselves for the challenges and choices they will face as women and citizens of the world.

VISION STATEMENT The Girls Summer Leadership Program seeks to cultivate in its participants Dana Hall School’s core values ofintegrity, leadership, diversity, and service, as well as respect for self and others. Our program provides participants with aunique opportunity to prepare themselves for the challenges and choices they will face ashigh school students.

Some of the GSLP Advisory Board

Introductions Expectations Boarding Orientation High School Fears “What is Leadership?” Leadership Challenges NOLS Leadership Styles Ethics / Moral Values Top Chef Challenge JoAnnDeak: how girls lead differently Strengths Finder 2.0 Looking to High School Climbing Challenge Identity: “I Am From…” Empathy-Building Perspective / Circumstance Non-Verbal Communication Bullying Survey Bully / Ally Scenarios Public Speaking Olin Engineering Challenge Community Service Day: Best Buddies Service Activities BANQUET: feedback from mentors Wellesley College Letters to Self High School Intentions

One activity I thought was valuable was the rock climbing. It was both fun and you had to instill trust in the person that was belaying you. You also had to have confidence in yourself that you would make it to the highest point that you could participant The top chef challenge helped a lot of the girls connect and communicate. They were able to be leaders on the small tasks they were given, have fun, and go out of their comfort zone as well HS Mentor I liked the bullying activities because it helped me understand others' feelings more when they are being bullied. It made me step into their shoes and realize that it isn't always easy to stand up for ourselves when we are being bullied. Because of the bullying activities, I've learned to stick up for someone when they are being bullied, even if I don't know him or her. Also, I now know to be more considerate of others and think before I start saying terrible things to them because chances are, I don't know their life story and what they're going through participant Listening to Ms. Erisman talk about public speaking was interesting. I feel I’ll benefit from this in the future, especially during interviews. Going into it, I was nervous and thought I wouldn’t want to stand up in front of everyone and speak. However, once I got into it, I actually learned I like talking in front of people. – 2011 participant

Blue KatieCaseySallyCheyanneMiaBrianaSarahKateyDiarraAnnaLauraSarahKeziaKatherineIlianaMarielle White ElizabethFenwickFionaAllyElizabethGabbyNiaEeshaniSarahIfeBridgetJessicaLisaMayaLindseyJanelle Ariel Amanda Michelle Caiti Margaret Mima Caitlin Victoria CandaceArielle

Blue KatieCaseySallyCheyanneMiaBrianaSarahKateyDiarraAnnaLauraSarahKeziaKatherineIlianaMarielle White ElizabethFenwickFionaAllyElizabethGabbyNiaEeshaniSarahIfeBridgetJessicaLisaMayaLindseyJanelle DH alum

Feedback from Participants… I thought that I made strong connections with the High School Mentors and the Young Alum Mentors. It helped me to talk to them and get to know them especially because I will be going to Dana for high school, and they have experienced it. The professional mentors were nice to talk to because you knew you were writing to someone in your blog who wanted to help you feel confident in high school. I had an AMAZING time at the program and that I learned a whole bunch from it. The program helped me understand high school a lot better and now I'm not as afraid to go into high school as I was before the program. I am actually excited to be going into high school! I loved this program! Because of GSLP, I am no longer afraid to be myself anywhere, even the places where I feel least comfortable. Before the program, I was always scared of how people judged me and viewed me as a person. Things that people said about me always got to me and I would feel really bad about myself. Now I am more confident about myself and I try to ignore all the mean comments people make about me. I loved this program and the mentors so much that I am persuading my parents to let me come to Dana Hall for school! I had an incredible experience at GSLP, made tons of friends, and loved Dana Hall! Keep the program going and there will be a lot more accomplished female leaders one day! – 2011 participant

BENEFITS beyond the program Mitigates stereotypes about Dana HallHumanizes Dana Hall, making it more accessibleReinforces benefits of an all-girls’ settingIntroduces a positive boarding school experienceDeepens connections with Dana Hall for HS MentorsBuilds different connections to Dana Hall for participating alumnaeStrengthens pride in the Dana Hall in faculty, staff, parents, students

For more information, contact: Kristin Ryan Rob Mather