Leadership Profile

Oak Brook Elementary School Leadership

At Oak Brook Elementary School, we believe that developing leadership skills in our students is essential for cultivating not only their personal growth but also a positive school culture. Nurturing leadership in elementary students lays the foundation for responsible citizenship, self-confidence, and resilience, skills that will serve them well throughout their lives.

One of the primary reasons we focus on developing leadership is the importance of giving students a voice. In today’s world, it is crucial for young people to feel empowered to express their thoughts and ideas. By providing opportunities for leadership, we help them understand that their opinions matter and that they can make a difference in their community. Whether it’s through student-led initiatives, class discussions, or involvement in service projects, giving students a platform to share their ideas fosters a sense of ownership over their education and surroundings.

Furthermore, leadership skills help students develop crucial social-emotional competencies. Through collaborative projects and group activities, they learn to communicate effectively, resolve conflicts, and work toward common goals. These experiences not only enhance their interpersonal skills but also teach them the value of teamwork and empathy. 

Moreover, fostering leadership in young students cultivates a positive school culture. When students feel empowered to lead, they are more likely to take ownership of their behavior and contribute to a supportive environment. 

At Oak Brook, we are committed to providing our students with numerous opportunities to develop their leadership skills. Whether it’s through formal programs or everyday classroom activities, we strive to create an environment where every child can grow as a leader. By doing so, we not only prepare them for their future but also cultivate a generation of compassionate, responsible individuals who are ready to make a difference in the world. In nurturing their potential as leaders, we are investing in a brighter future for all.

We work each day to help students develop leadership skills.  Please see below for just a snippet of our leadership work.

Kindergarten - Students experience leadership roles in the classroom.

1st grade - Students experience leadership roles in the classroom and will be helping share information through announcements

2nd grade - Students experience leadership roles in the classroom and work together to help keep our school grounds clean

3rd grade - Students experience leadership roles in the classroom, will be working with our school for sustainability efforts and get to experience being an older buddy for the first time.

4th grade - Students experience leadership roles in the classroom, continue their roles as older buddies and are given the opportunity to be school ambassadors who help lead tours, welcome visitors and greet students in the morning.

5th grade - Students experience leadership roles in the classroom, continue their roles as older buddies, are given the opportunity to help out during kindergarten lunch and may choose to help produce, create and be recorded for school announcements.

What is a buddy?

Role Model

Your younger buddy is looking to you to show them how we act at Oak Brook. You must consistently demonstrate Oak Brook’s core values: respect, responsibility, integrity, self-control, kindness, and curiosity. 

Respectful 

Being a respectful buddy means that you treat them with care. You listen to them and stay with them the entire buddy time. They are your partner! For example, when you pick them up from their room you greet them and walk with them to your destination.

 

Responsibility

Your buddy is looking at you as an example. What you say and do affects your buddy. The choices you make can show your buddy how to be responsible. For example, your friends want you to come hang with them at buddy recess time, but you politely decline in order to stay with your buddy or you offer to include others while staying with your buddy.

 

Integrity

Using integrity means always doing the right thing, even when an adult is not watching. Your buddy is watching you the whole time. For example, while with their buddies in the hall, you choose to walk with your buddy. 

Self-control

Using self-control is an important skill to model for your buddy. Self-control means thinking before you act and making the right choice. Even when an adult is not watching, your buddy is watching you the whole time. For example, while others are running with their buddies in the hall, you choose to walk with your buddy. 

 

Kindness 

Kindness means acting with understanding, generosity, and care. For example, you need to listen to your buddy when they are speaking to show that you care about them and what they say.

Curiosity

Curiosity is being eager to know or learn something. This means being excited to learn all about your buddy as well as sharing your interests with them. For example, you could ask them “Do you have pets? How many brothers or sisters do you have? What do you like to do?”