Working with student leaders can be both frustrating and rewarding. Investing the time to educate your student leaders will pay off for years to come. Here are a few thoughts and tips to get you started:
• How do currently train your student leaders? Who are the leaders in your program? (Thespian/Drama Club officers, class reps, ADs, TDs, stage managers, crew heads, department heads)
• Recruit & train student leaders for officers/lead positions. Look for leadership qualities in your students & encourage them to apply/run for positions in your program. Most students do not recognize their leadership potential.
• Partner with your student activities director or other large programs on campus. Combine forces to train – bring in a coach, inspirational speaker, share best practices with colleagues/other VAPA student leaders.
• Reach out to chamber of commerce or other community groups with leadership resources.
• Provide short leadership training sessions for both current & future leaders. Share best practices for leading fellow students & teach them the different styles of leadership.
• If your state Thespian Chapter holds leadership training sessions put these events into your calendar and take both current and emerging student leaders.
• Set regular officer meetings, crew head/designer check ins. Help students with goal setting, deadlines, working with fellow students
• Share great leadership resources using your callboard, a Google Drive, etc
• Create & communicate a department/show flow chart. Train all students to follow the flow and ask the best person when they have a question-and it doesn't have to be you.
• Utilize your callboard. Don't have one? Creating one is a great officer project.
• Promote and nominate your student leaders via local, state, and national awards, nominations, recognitions (Young Arts, Student of the Month, Civic groups, Congressional Youth recognition, Thespian of the Month, etc).
• Use the EdTA resources for ITS leadership training. Under "Student Leadership Library."
• Create a student mentoring program within your department. Use current leaders as mentors so you can create a legacy of strong student leadership.
Sending you good thoughts for you upcoming season.
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Krista Carson Elhai
President, Educational Theatre Association
Educational Theatre Foundation National Board of Trustees
Past President, CA Educational Theatre Association
Membership Chair, California State Thespians
Claremont CA
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