Personal Leadership: Important Focus at Harbor High School

By Susan Gallagher, Director of Alternative Programs

The Huron Valley School District strives to create personal leadership opportunities for students. As a district, the goal is that all students graduate as: analytical, critical, self-directed, lifelong, digital learners; innovative, creative problem-solvers; effective communicators and collaborators; healthy, responsible citizens who are excellent producers of quality work. Providing opportunities for all students to acquire or enhance these skills is a tall order. To this end, Harbor High School added several new initiatives to its programming this year.

Harbor High School students assume much ownership for the academic and social/cultural success of their school. The establishment of a Peer-Tutoring Program reinforces the responsibility aspect of leadership and strengthens students' communication and collaboration skills. The program has been of substantial academic benefit to the school. Students who are experiencing academic success are tutoring others who are improving with the one-on-one instruction. Harbor teacher, Ben Dowker, oversees the program, which has doubled in size from first trimester to second. Harbor High School's Student Advisory determined that another way to increase student achievement was to let students see what opportunities are available by inviting colleges and other post-secondary training program representatives to talk with students. As a result, presenters from Oakland Community College, The Art Institute, and Baker College came during the first trimester so students could begin making plans.

Following the college visits, four Harbor High students dual enrolled at Oakland Community College to get a head start on college. These opportunities, coupled with articulation agreements with Baker and Oakland Community College, are allowing several students to complete up to a semester of college credit by the time they graduate. Harbor seniors Tyler Barron, Chad Fluegge, J.D. Francis, and Ginny Sheeders are now attending both high school and college. These students are paving the way for others from Harbor High who will dual enroll in the future. I am so proud of these students. Not only are they achieving themselves, they are showing other students what opportunities are available. Leading by example is the most effective approach.

Pictured L to R:  Tyler Barron, JD Francis, Chad Fluegge, Ginny Sheeders

Harbor High School also recently held its first ever Challenge Day. This event is a workshop that provides training for students in areas of diversity, acceptance, listening, communicating, empathizing, and emphasizes taking a leadership role at school and in one's own life. Harbor students also receive instruction in Character Education throughout the school year to strengthen core leadership skills. Character Education assists students with thinking about the role choices play in their lives and their relationships. The curriculum is called Character Under Construction, and deals with topics that teenagers regularly encounter such as breaking trust, assuming responsibility, measuring success, and maintaining friendships.

Harbor High School staff is proud of the efforts the staff and students have made to enhance student leadership. Students who gravitate toward alternative education often possess a natural inclination to follow the "road less traveled," exploring a non-traditional path in pursuit of a high school education. In doing so, personality characteristics often surface that reveal students with an adventuresome spirit; a curious, risk-taking nature; and a fearlessness about changing directions when current circumstances are not producing favorable outcomes. Harbor High School staff strives to bring these attributes to the forefront for all of our students while simultaneously integrating other skills to ensure that well-rounded leadership is established. As a staff, we are thrilled to work with such an interesting group of young men and women.