It’s written on my school coffee mug from which I take a sip in the morning; it’s written under the large C, A, and S of our school logo – our school slogan reads:
“Educating Transformative Leaders.”
What does it mean to be a transformative leader?
What are the qualities of transformative leaders?
In recent weeks, I have had the privilege of spending some time with our grade 10 students as they trundle along on their educational journeys. I spoke at the ceremony where the results of last year’s IGCSE Exams were given to them. I saw smiles. I too saw tears. I saw friends sharing in a small achievement, and these same friends uplifting those of them disappointed with not achieving what they had hoped or expected.
I had the joy and, at times, the challenge of being their English substitute teacher while their wonderful teacher was away with some of their peers representing our school in Medellín. These were teenagers, as lost in the experience as eager to learn – as focused and disciplined as needing a reminder to tie their own shoelace. We talked about extreme sports, the planned topic, with all the academic rigor for which such a topic deserves. And… I think… some of them learned something about English in this time we spent together.
It was during the CAS – Spirit Day in the Vocabulary Relay activity, that these grade 10 students so eloquently modelled our school slogan – these were transformative leaders.
“That guy, with the hair, over there – I don’t know his name,” said Mr. Ernesto Maldonado, our grade 2/3 Language Arts teacher, pointing back to a student leading the Word Scramble activity, “but he’s doing a great job! They’re all doing a great job!”
“I used to teach them when they were in grade 4, or maybe even younger,” said Mrs. Ingrid Rodriguez Sanchez, our Primary Mathematics Coordinator, “it’s amazing to see them now.”
These grade 10 students were leaders, taking what might have been your ordinary, run-of-the-mill, Vocabulary Relay, and transforming it into a unique, out-of-this-world, Vocabulary Relay. They organized the participating students, directing the activities, taking ownership of this role for which they had volunteered. Groups were divided. Some sat in circles. Some lined up. There was some running, some spelling, some dancing, some reading, but mostly fun was had… with someone learning something about English somewhere in there.
These grade 10 students, soon to be our Class of ’26, soon to be young adults, are soon to be the future leaders of tomorrow – it is with great excitement and privilege that I look forward to seeing how they will transform this world!
