Murfreesboro City School students received a lesson in leadership this summer. Over 20 community establishments were explored as part of a two week long MCS leadership camp. The Leadership Academy, led by teachers Tamara Cosby and Shiloh Siegle, is a camp for rising 5^th grade students that teaches leadership and analytical skills to students through direct interaction with local businesses.

Students toured business facilities and spoke directly with company officials about organizational practices as well as how leadership plays a role in making a business successful.

After each visit, the students returned to the leadership camp headquarters to discuss what they learned, how to apply the lessons and how the industries might be interconnected.

“This has been an eye opening experience even for me,” stated 4^th grade teacher Tamara Cosby. “We wanted students to see what leadership looks like in all different capacities and understand that you do not have to be elected into a leadership position to be a leader. When touring these facilities we got to see just how varied that can look, how important leadership was in every situation and how everyone works together,” she concluded.

During the visits students brought notebooks to detail their trip and note answers to questions. After touring the city for two week the students were required to create a presentation that they would share with parents and community partners on the last day of camp.

Student Shelleah Stephens has a composition book full of notes she took from each trip. “We learned about respect and setting a good example for others. We also learned that even if you make a mistake you can turn it into an accomplishment if you learn from it,” she said. “I look at leadership differently now. It’s not about being bossy or only trying to do your idea. It’s about passing ideas along and working together to get things done,” she affirmed.

The Jennings and Rebecca Jones Foundation provided funding for this Leadership Academy.