Programs That Succeed “Building Student Leadership Teams” The Key to Building Ownership in the Classroom John Chevalier CTE Instructor / Apple Certified Trainer Sonoma County Office of Education Healdsburg High School Educating for Careers Conference Sacramento, California March 10-11, 2013 © 2013 Chevalier Training

What does a Great Student Team Look Like?

What is Your Students Level of Involvement THE FOYER: THE LIVING ROOM: ✔ Checking things out. ✔ Every new student starts here at the beginning of the year. ✔ They become part of the family. ✔ This is where your students begin to feel comfortable. THE KITCHEN: ✔ This is where students begin to plug in. ✔ “The class I’m taking” becomes “My Class”. ✔ They have roles and responsibilities. ✔ Not sure if they want to come in any further. ✔ The goal is to get most of them to this place. ✔ This doesn’t happen on it’s own.

The Problems with Student Teams ✔ Diversity. ✔ Grading. ✔ Attendance. ✔ Student Objections. ✔ Individual Involvement. ✔ Maturity. Remember! Our job is to create a positive learning culture for our students, not to make our job easier.

The Benefits of Building Student Teams ✔ Exposure to different viewpoints. ✔ Accomplish projects that individuals can’t. ✔ They build a workplace community. ✔ Learn to detect flaws in solutions. ✔ Brainstorm more solution options. ✔ Learn communication skills. ✔ Learn critical thinking skills. ✔ Learn conflict resolution skills. ✔ Students may do more academic work.

How do you view yourself as a classroom instructor? Teacher = Leader Leader = Teacher Positional Leadership Influential Leadership NEW PARADIGM Moving from being an instructor to being a mentor!

How do you view your students? The Problem: Students are just not motivated to Learn. MOTIVATION The Reality: Students do not see a practical connection between the classroom and the real world. NO CONNECTION The Solution: RELATIONSHIPS Young People are motivated by connection not by the actual work in the classroom. InstructorPeers Practical Application

Some Myths About Successful Teams ✔ A successful team has no competition between members. members. ✔ Successful teams have no conflicts. ✔ Team work always solves problems. ✔ A team is a group of people with a mutual goal. ✔ To have a successful team you must always feel good about each other. good about each other.

Some Non-negotiable’s About Successful Teams ✔ Everyone is important. ✔ You must have the same goal in mind (MISSION). ✔ Everyone can make a contribution.  Regardless of their education / talent level.  Regardless of their intelligence.  Regardless of support or lack of support for YOU.  Pay attention to all suggestions.  Beginning with the end in mind.  Everyone has a part to play.  The success or failure as a team does not depend on one or two individuals. on one or two individuals.

Assigning Members To Student Teams ✔ Get to know your students early. ✔ Diversity in ability and maturity levels. ✔ Instructor should ASSIGN teams.  Before they start to form their own groups.  Student Interest Form.  Include skill based questions.  Temptation to let friends works together.  Start with grade level.  Take the task of assigning teams SERIOUSLY.  Spread out ability among teams. CriticsWatchersDoersLeaders

Assigning Members To Student Teams ✔ Take care when assigning special needs students. ✔ Teach about Teams in general. ✔ Begin a Team Building Activity right away.  READ your IEP’s & 504 Plans.  Look for friends.  Look for students who can relate.  Don’t give students the opportunity to be negative.  Students do not know how to work together.

A Word About Leadership ✔ All Teams must have a leader. ✔ Explain the cost and responsibility of leadership. ✔ Enlist students to be in leadership roles.  Starts with you.  Classroom assistants.  Team leaders.  Best leaders may not volunteer.  Responsibility & Authority.  Watch student interactions.  Talk with other teachers.

A Word About Leadership ✔ Explore students gifts & talents. ✔ Empower students to lead. ✔ Model good leadership.  Leadership styles.  Capitalize on strengths / Minimize weaknesses.  Share personal stories.  This is the final step.  Allow students to see you problem solve.  Build trust.  Failure is a learning tool.

Create a reliable, accurate and complete Communication system ✔ Weekly check in with team leaders. ✔ Student addresses. ✔ Monthly leadership training meetings. ✔ Facebook page and/or Website for the class. ✔ Regular communication. ✔ Regular communication and interaction with staff. ✔ Attend board meetings and community events. ✔ Personal & Public Recognition for achievement. ✔ Initiate meetings when you hear of problems.

Relationship Understand what motivates students to learn and succeed in the classroom. The 3 R’s: Relevance Rigor NO!

Relationship Understand what motivates students to learn and succeed in the classroom. The 3 R’s: Rigor Relevance

Understand what motivates students to learn and succeed in the classroom. Dr. Russell J. Quaglia: President and Founder of the Quaglia Institute for Student Aspirations (QISA) “The Achievement gap will only be closed by dealing with the Motivation Gap, the Participation Gap and the Relationship Gap. Once you deal with those gaps, student achievement will no longer be an issue.”

Contact Information John Chevalier CTE Instructor/Apple Certified Trainer Sonoma County Office of Education Healdsburg High School