Upper School – Leadership

Gerstell Academy Leadership Model

Leadership is infused and integrated throughout each course in the curriculum.  The Gerstell Academy Motto, Gerstell Principles and Leadership Attributes serve as the values foundation for the leadership experience and are constantly reinforced in every activity. 

Gerstell Academy’s definition of Leadership is:

the art of positively influencing others to unite in a common direction and guiding them to improve themselves and their community.

A community can be very small such as a family or class or as large as the world. There are local, national, and international communities all needing effective leaders. As a leader, each individual must develop their own style. At Gerstell, we work intently on developing our students to be positive leaders of character. Leadership encompasses many attributes; among these are; the ability to listen, express appreciation, set the example, be resourceful as well as persevere through challenges. Leaders have a vision and dedication to service and understanding of self and others. By integrating leadership education into our core curriculum and into student life, we encourage our students to grow and embrace life’s opportunities with vigor.

To develop leaders requires specific leadership education and leadership skill development.  Gerstell Academy approaches leadership education focusing on five academic areas:

1. Traditional leadership: public speaking, ethics, manners, social skills, study skills, negotiation skills, management skills, conflict resolution, effective writing, teamwork, and moral and ethical decision making.
2. History: a critical historical examination of the recent relevant history (25-50 years) that helps us understand the position of United States as a world leader.
3. Environmental Science: the leadership emphasis is on environmental issues and concerns. We live in a world of limited resources (soil, water, fossil fuels) and it is important to ensure that students understand how environmental leadership affects us and the world we share today and for future generations.
4. Adolescent Psychology: all leaders must first understand themselves and then understand others in order to be effective. The study of psychology and human development allows students to explore and understand who they are and how they develop, as well as gain an understanding of group dynamics. Adolescent psychology will begin in the middle school and continue into the upper school adding group dynamics, management, and sport psychology during the upper school years.
5. Comparative religions and cultures are studied to develop an understanding of the five major religions: Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism. Understanding the world’s major religions and their cultures is critical to increasing understanding, encouraging tolerance, and promoting a broader world view.