Jan Brookes - The Value Of Leadership

Jan Brookes was my high school sociology teacher. As a sophomore in her class I was very studious and very quiet. I avoided leadership positions even though I did excellent work. Jan took me aside after class one day and asked why I avoided leading group projects or joining in some of the after school clubs she ran that I had seemed excited about.

I was honest and said I was shy about meeting new people and was afraid of seeming bossy. Jan told me I was too sweet to ever be bossy and that being concerned about being bossy was enough to prevent me from ever becoming bossy. She also told me that I was wasting my talent and intelligence by not using it to my betterment and the betterment of the groups I worked on projects with. Jan told me that at the moment all the work I was doing was going partially unrecognized because I never claimed leadership of the groups I worked so hard for.

After that she started assigning other shy students and me to leadership positions. Her strategy worked. By the end of my senior year of high school, I was running 5 after school clubs including a diversity club and a musical group. I had also become more outspoken when it came to group endeavors, whether it was among my friends, for school, or for work.

Jan taught me that my strengths were valuable and that I deserved to be recognized for them. She also taught me many things throughout our many years of high school together. Thank you, Mrs. Brookes.