When I think about radical leaders or leapers in my life, I immediately think of my coworker, Christin Johnson. For those who don't know her, she is amazing. She does so much at our school and does everything so well. After working with her in the Theater Production this last spring, I can truly say that she is a radical leaper of a leader.
She cultivates love and it's clear with her actions and how she talks to the students involved. She loves doing theater and working with the students. She frequently talks about how she keeps coming back and doing the play because she loves working with the students and loves the experience of the theater production at the middle school.
Her presence generates energy. She's passionate about the program and doing things right and energizes the students on stage. She's also created a program that is family like and supportive of each other. I remember this last year I got to see the end of the production ceremony where she gives awards to students who have participated and honors for those who have done multiple shows. When she was giving the awards away to the 8th graders before their last show, we joked because I started crying(which isn't a surprise as I'm a serious weeper) but that she was weepy too. Even a couple of 8th graders had tears because they were leaving this program.
She challenges students to be better and in her classroom, challenges them to believe they have the power to affect change. She is also big on respect and isn't afraid to demand it and wait for it during practice.
Christin sounds like a Radical LEAP leader! I can tell form your description of her that she must be well-loved and respected by students and colleagues. I notice that she creates a strong community with her program too.
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