Leadership
Renaissance Arts Academy
Ms. Woodruff
503-916-5244
Course Description
This course is designed to develop personal leadership skills and an understanding of group processes in a democratic society. It seeks to foster in students a better understanding of themselves and their capacity for leadership; to create an understanding of the importance of leadership in our society; and to prepare students to assume leadership roles in the school and community.
The RA2 Leadership class provides an opportunity for students to give input into decisions that affect the students of our school. Students will work collaboratively to plan events at the school and propose new structures or policies.
Learning Targets
- I can describe how my personality and leadership styles affect my actions and my contribution to the group.
- I can communicate effectively in large and small groups of students and or adults.
- I can demonstrate self-organization and time management.
- I can plan and implement organized projects with my classmates.
- I can understand and implement effective marketing skills.
- I take responsibility for my actions and act ethically.
- I can use strategies for problem solving and conflict resolution.
- I can reflect upon the strengths and weaknesses of the structures of our school.
Grading Policy
Leadership students will be graded on both their ability to collaborate and their level of participation in Leadership plans and events.
Class Participation
Leadership students will be assessed on their level of participation and commitment to Leadership class work and planning activities. It is expected that Leadership students will maintain an excellent attendance record and will play an active role in their classroom. Students will regularly write in their leadership journals, set goals, and participate in self assessments.
Class Participation will count for 25% of the grade
Collaboration and Work Ethic
Much of the work done in the Leadership class will take place within a committee structure and each student will be in at least two committees per semester. Each committee will appoint a chairperson who will take a facilitation role in committee business. All members of each committee will be given the opportunity to assess their colleagues on their work as a team member, both for level of collaboration and for work ethic. These committee scores, along with a self-assessment, and teacher input, will determine the collaboration and work ethic score.
Collaboration and work ethic will account for 25% of the grade.
Service
In the leadership class, there will not be any homework assignments. Instead, students are asked to take an active role in our school and community. Students will be required to perform 6 hours of Service per quarter.
School Service includes work done outside of class on Leadership-planned or other school events. Students will be notified of service opportunities throughout the year. Community Service will consist of volunteer time spent in the community. The class will brainstorm opportunities for service in the community and will be alerted as to openings.
Students must submit a documentation form for any Service work that they have done.
Service will count for 30% of the grade.
Support of School Events
Beyond the service requirement, students in the leadership class are expected to show their support for at least two school events per quarter. This is not an event that they are working for leadership service hours, just one that they attend and participate in. This could be a dance, a sporting event, back to school night, parent night, etc. A school event form must be completed and submitted for credit.
School Events count for 10% of the grade.
Behavior Expectations for Leaders
It is expected that students will work in a collaborative manner on projects that will positively impact the school, campus, and community. As leaders, we will hold them to high standards of behavior. It is expected that Leadership students will maintain near-perfect attendance, stay in good academic standing, and avoid disciplinary action. Failure to adhere to these expectations may result in schedule changes for students.
Behavior expectations will account for 10% of the grade.