Who is my leader? Teachers are great role models and inspiring leaders. Teachers can teach students from kindergarten to university or even beyond that. This website will be focusing on teachers in elementary and secondary schools. The age group rounds from ages 4-18. According to Ontario College of Teachers, teachers require four main characteristics such as respect, trust, integrity and care. Most teachers show more than just those four traits. They also showcase responsibility, patience, affection, fairness, and positivity.

What do teachers do? Teachers are educators. They guide and encourage students to become something great in life. Teachers teach students the regular curriculum and in addition to teaching that, they also teach extracurricular activities. Such as sports teams, COY, choir, tutoring, band etc. Secondary school teachers are trained to educate children from grade 9 to 12 and specialize in one particular subject.

WHERE are teachers primarily located, or where do teachers lead? When we think of teachers the first thing to come to mind is school. Teachers lead in schools, classrooms or even lead throughout the building. They can be leaders in many positions. Either they lead conferences, Professional Development, Superintendent or principal. These are high positions and takes on a strong role.

WHEN do teachers come into the position as a leader? Everyone is different. For some it might take many years to become a teacher and others less. Teachers in Ontario are certified to teach either general studies or technological studies. General studies include language, arts, math, physical education, computers, science and music. Technological studies include more work-related areas such as manufacturing, construction and hospitality services. To become a teacher u need:

A degree from an acceptable post-secondary institution (a Bachelor of Arts)

A minimum one-year program of teacher education (a Bachelor of Education).

A four-year university degree that combines academic and teacher education courses will also be considered.

After completing your degrees, you can become a teacher. A supply teacher is just as qualified as a regular teacher and they are showcased as a leader too.

WHY do teachers lead? Teachers lead to help students and empower them. Students are with teachers majority of the day. If a teacher gives positive energy and positive characteristics then the kids will eventually develop the same. You are who you surround yourself with. Not all teachers model themselves the same way After questioning many teachers, I received almost the same answer from each. For example this is what a grade 9 teacher at JASS said: “The role of a teacher is to push students to reach their full potential. A strong leader embodies. They try to lead a group of people to a positive direction and helping people realize their able to reach their full potential.” - Ms.Cheung

• Questions I asked my leader: What made you choose the teaching profession? “It was the idea that I could make a difference within my community and inspire learners to become whoever they want to become.”- Ms.sidhu (Grade 10 math and science teacher)
• “I enjoy helping and teaching students. I enjoy shaping them into becoming better people and more productive citizens in the future. I like seeing them grow.”- Ms. Cheung (Grade 9 Math teacher)

What characteristics do you think a leader and a teacher have in common? Enthusiasm, persuasiveness, a deep understanding of goals and visions, and commitment - Ms.sidhu

Determined, inspired, motivated and care for people. -Ms.Smith

Do you believe you only lead when you're at work or you're always leading? Why? I believe I'm always leading because part of being a leader is role modelling in what you believe in. -Ms.sidhu

I believe I'm always leading because I believe everyone's a leader. Some people believe you have to have a high position to become a leader but that’s not true at all. -Ms.Smith

I believe that sometimes the leader in me is predominant because I like to make decisions and have people follow through with them. I like to listen such as if I'm with my friends, I like to take in their opinion and take best of both worlds. I feel that there are times where I like to guide my group of friends to go out and encourage them, this relates to my personal life and my career. -Ms.Cheung.

What type of leader do you consider yourself as? Why? I consider myself a good leader because I can see students grow in front of me and I have influence over other teachers and how they teach. I am able to involve parents into our schools. -Ms.Sidhu

I consider myself a good leader because my job is to help students advocate for themselves, that means I help them even when they think their not good enough. I help them find their strength and weakness and build their confidence which helps them find out who they are. -Ms.Smith

“I should be able to be more tactful in the way I lead. There are certain elements of leadership that I need to develop. For example what I'm able to do as a leader is to see smaller details and work with a team and guide them to have better practices”. -Ms.Cheung

When did you believe that you were a leader? From the age of 3, I realized I had to be a leader and a role model for my other 9 siblings as I was the oldest child. -Ms.smith

I've always known that I was a leader because I always displayed the characteristics of a leader from a young age- Ms.sidhu

Last year I had to start teaching grade 9. I was part of the grade 9 course team and in fact I became the leader. That’s when I started realizing more about how important a leadership role is.- Ms.cheung

Why did I choose a teacher as my leader? I chose a teacher as my leader because I believe that teachers take a big role on people’s lives, including me. Teachers work with many different types of people, which makes them get a better understanding on how to work with different people. They help plan students future and have high expectations from you which forces the student to do better. When I was young I wanted to become a teacher myself. I loved the idea of helping students and teaching them new stuff. Teachers are one of the most inspiring leaders in the world.

Do teachers influence me? Yes, teachers influence me 100%. They make me realize that they worked hard to get to where they are now and they just want the best for us. They encourage students to focus on school. Many students hate their teachers because they give a lot of homework or assignments but I believe it's beneficial as it helps students practice. Everything they do is for the better and all the characteristics they showcase is what I would like to have.

How does my future career relate to this project? For about 4 years now my dream job is to become a journalist on CP24. This project and my future career relate because while I questioned 3 teachers at JASS, it made me feel like I was being a journalist. Questioning, digging deep into the story and finding answers is what I had to do in this case and is what I would have to do in my future job.

More questions to ask a leader: What are the most important decisions you make as a leader of your organization?

Can you name a person who has had a tremendous impact on you as a leader?

What are you doing to ensure you continue to grow and develop as a leader?

How can you encourage others to become good leaders?