Each spring semester, several Hughston
fourth grade students are immersed in a "Leadership Unit" that has
been developed and administered in conjunction with Hughston PACE
teacher Lisa Wellborn.
 The
unit emphasizes the many characteristic traits of leaders and serves
as a catalyst to sharpen the students' public speaking skills. Students
conduct research on leadership traits through a series of classroom
visits with local leaders. This interaction provides the students
with a forum to ask questions and hear responses from leaders in their
community. The semester's study culminates with a "Meet the Leaders
Night" reception. Students come to the reception dressed as the leader
whom they have
chosen to study, including world leaders in the areas of government,
politics, arts, sports, etc. Parents and other reception guests participate
in interactively with the students until they discover "who's who"
among the leaders. This year's Leaders Night will be held May 8 at
the school. "We study all categories of leaders and what traits are
common among good and bad leaders," noted Ms. Baumann. "This provides
a wonderful opportunity for the students to learn about being leaders
themselves." This year, classroom guestshave  included
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Doug Otto, Dallas Sidekicks' Mike Powers
and Plano Senior High School Intel Science Talent Search Finalist
Stefan Block. Past classroom visitors have included TwinStar CEO Jim
Watson, Tatu with the Dallas Sidekicks, Dallas Cowboys' Tony Hill,
and Plano Mayor John Longstreet. "We tell our students that, 'If you
look behind you and someone is following you, then you're a leader,'"
said Ms. Riskind. "We want the students to take what they have learned
in this unit and put their skills into action." |
