Empowering the Leaders of Tomorrow

Leadership: A Foundation for the Future

Under the vision of Dr. Dana Markham ’18H, President of Pine Crest School, the middle school began a journey to place leadership development at the center of the student experience. What began with the launch of a dedicated leadership course has now blossomed into a vibrant program where students embrace opportunities with confidence, creativity and purpose. Amanda Holender, middle school Instructor, explains, “All students are leaders. Sometimes, they just do not know it yet. Our approach is to help students discover their leadership ability and believe in their capacity to lead.”

Clayton Welch, dean of students, expands on the leadership development philosophy: “In sixth grade, we focus on the foundational pieces of leadership. By seventh grade, students begin to put those skills into action, and by eighth grade, they look toward the future, applying what they have learned to impact both our campus and the wider community. Leadership here is not just a course; it is a continuum.”

Social entrepreneurship has become embedded in the curriculum, enabling students to study topics ranging from financial literacy to public speaking while exploring innovative business models. Students regularly measure the outcomes of their initiatives through presentations, peer and faculty feedback, and community engagement metrics. Through this continuum, students examine personal strengths, consider community needs and apply entrepreneurial thinking as they step forward with reflection, self-awareness and action. They learn that leadership is less about titles and more about responsibility, courage and service.

Dedicated Spaces: Supporting Hands-On Leadership

Purpose-built classrooms and flexible, technology-rich spaces on both campuses enable students to engage in hands-on leadership. In design labs, robotics studios, coding workshops and collaborative areas for emerging technologies, students are challenged to experiment, create and lead beyond traditional learning boundaries. Holender notes, “Using spaces designed for collaboration encourages critical leadership skills like challenging perspectives and engaging in meaningful discussions. Students learn by doing.”

These environments provide a foundation for students to practice leadership authentically, whether working independently or collaboratively, and to develop the adaptability required for future academic and professional settings. Welch emphasizes, “These spaces are built for leadership. They encourage collaboration, creativity and adaptability, and they send students the message that every voice matters. Leadership is not a solo action, and our students learn that when perspectives come together, stronger ideas emerge.”

Learning by Doing: Middle School Leadership in Action

At Pine Crest, leadership is not only taught in classrooms—it is lived through experiences that challenge students to think critically, work collaboratively, and step into roles of responsibility. Students consistently provide reflections on their leadership growth, with many reporting increased confidence in public speaking, teamwork, and initiative-taking.

• In sixth grade, students begin their leadership journey through My Future Starts Here, an immersive project where they explore emerging careers, design recruitment materials and host a job fair.
• In seventh grade, initiatives like the Multicultural Fair allow students to design interactive exhibits, building empathy, creativity, and cross-cultural communication skills.
• In eighth grade, the Changemaker Challenge gives students the opportunity to research global issues, develop solutions and present ideas to authentic audiences.

Leadership also grows through experiential trips and community engagement. Students participate in programs like the Manatee Leadership Experience, the iFLY STEM Challenge and museum partnerships, where responsibility and teamwork are tested in dynamic, real-world contexts. Welch underscores the importance of these moments: “True leadership comes alive through experience. You cannot simply learn it from a textbook. Our students discover that leadership is about action-about stepping into real situations, taking risks and reflecting on the results. That is how they build resilience and confidence.”

Serving Through Leadership: Community Engagement and Days of Service

Students across both Middle School campuses participate in regular days of service and a program called Investiture, where they engage directly with local nonprofits. These experiences allow students to put their leadership skills into action while contributing to the community. Opportunities include volunteering at senior care centers, animal rescues, community food banks and sustainability initiatives. Students also practice leadership within the school community by serving in the dining hall, mentoring younger students through a buddy program and taking active roles in promoting positive campus culture.

Holender reflects, “Service begins in the community but also within our school. Students understand that leadership is about making a difference in the lives of others. They learn that they are role models and that their actions have a real impact.”

Vision in Action: Preparing Leaders for the Future

These experiences reinforce the connection between leadership and service, fostering empathy, responsibility and a lifelong commitment to community engagement. The leadership courses, dedicated spaces, hands-on experiences and community engagement opportunities reflect a deliberate vision of cultivating leaders who can think critically, collaborate effectively and act with purpose. By integrating leadership into everyday learning and amplifying student voices, Pine Crest helps students develop the skills to adapt, innovate and lead in new environments. Welch adds, “Every student comes to us with the raw materials of leadership. Our role is to create experiences that allow them to express that potential, to challenge themselves, and to step outside their comfort zones. Leadership is not one-size-fits-all. It is about helping students find their own voice and their own way of leading.”

Through projects, trips, hands-on learning and service, Pine Crest Middle School students develop the courage, creativity and resilience to take on complex challenges. Leadership at Pine Crest is not a title; it is a practice. Under the guidance of educators like Holender and Welch, students are prepared to make a lasting impact on their communities and the world.